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Cattle Valley #19
Making the Grade
Book nineteen in the Cattle Valley Series Kenny Trenton has had a crush on Cattle Valley English teacher, Eli Sanchez, since the age of seventeen. Although Kenny's no longer a schoolboy, Eli refuses to see his fellow faculty member as anything but a student. Eli has spent his life hiding from the outside world. When the loneliness gets too much, he decides to make the changes necessary to open himself up to friendships and perhaps a relationship. When Eli attends a high school football game in a neighbouring community, he's attacked in the parking lot. Although Kenny's the one to rescue him, Eli begins to think he's made a mistake and living in the outside world isn't a good idea. Kenny's determined to keep Eli from retreating into his shell once again, but will his love be enough?
105 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2010
10 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Carol Lynne
251 books1,196 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
erotic & gay romances
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 9, 2010
This is another Cattle Valley book I really liked. Its message about the importance of love and friendship came through loud and clear, as did the reminder that locking oneself away to try to avoid pain doesn't work in the long run. Eventually, it is the loneliness and isolation that will hurt most.
Kenny and Eli are both such lonely men, each in their own way that my heart went out to both them. Kenny has been in love with his ex-teacher for so long that he's almost given up. Never having had a real family to accept and love him, he's in desperate need of finding that acceptance.
Eli has been afraid of people wrecking his life ever since his childhood in a neighborhood terrorized by gangs. When he realizes the isolation he has driven himself into, it still takes everything he has to change life-long habit of hiding - both physically and emotionally.
Luckily, these two men are able to figure out how to help out each other. Like in the other books of the series, the characters are real and have great depth. Their struggle touched me deeply and I loved following their path to not just mutual love, but to helping each other see what was missing, then going about getting it for their partner.
Note: This book has been provided by TEB for the purpose of a review.
Kenny and Eli are both such lonely men, each in their own way that my heart went out to both them. Kenny has been in love with his ex-teacher for so long that he's almost given up. Never having had a real family to accept and love him, he's in desperate need of finding that acceptance.
Eli has been afraid of people wrecking his life ever since his childhood in a neighborhood terrorized by gangs. When he realizes the isolation he has driven himself into, it still takes everything he has to change life-long habit of hiding - both physically and emotionally.
Luckily, these two men are able to figure out how to help out each other. Like in the other books of the series, the characters are real and have great depth. Their struggle touched me deeply and I loved following their path to not just mutual love, but to helping each other see what was missing, then going about getting it for their partner.
Note: This book has been provided by TEB for the purpose of a review.
October 19, 2022
Darum geht’s:
Kenny liebt seinen ehemaligen Lehrer Eli schon seit seiner Schulzeit. Inzwischen ist Kenny selbst Lehrer, doch er ist Eli noch kein bisschen näher gekommen, denn Eli sondert sich von allen ab. Als Eli doch einen Versuch unternimmt, sich unter Menschen zu mischen und ein Auswärtsspiel der örtlichen Footballmannschaft zu besuchen, geht das gehörig schief.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
Kenny liebt seinen ehemaligen Lehrer Eli schon seit seiner Schulzeit. Inzwischen ist Kenny selbst Lehrer, doch er ist Eli noch kein bisschen näher gekommen, denn Eli sondert sich von allen ab. Als Eli doch einen Versuch unternimmt, sich unter Menschen zu mischen und ein Auswärtsspiel der örtlichen Footballmannschaft zu besuchen, geht das gehörig schief.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
September 21, 2019
Getting love finally
Eli and Kenny have wanted each other for ten years. Neither one had gotten what wanted until now. Kenny never had the live he should have at home because his parents didn't really want him it seemed. Two dads and a mom only focused on their selves. Eli had a hard life as well where grew up sister dying one running away.
Eli was hurt in school fire in last book and this one he's attacked and stabbed for being gay at another town. Kenny gets him to hospital thankfully but more trouble happens.
Eli finally starts giving Kenny the chance which brings things to a couple heads until they really talk. Luke, Kenny's best friend having a rough go too and he takes out on Eli which makes difficult for bit. Luke makes up by doing something in return for Eli before end.
Eli self doubt so badly was reason it got four star. I wanted to yell at him at times. The love between them was great and they're cute together.
Eli and Kenny have wanted each other for ten years. Neither one had gotten what wanted until now. Kenny never had the live he should have at home because his parents didn't really want him it seemed. Two dads and a mom only focused on their selves. Eli had a hard life as well where grew up sister dying one running away.
Eli was hurt in school fire in last book and this one he's attacked and stabbed for being gay at another town. Kenny gets him to hospital thankfully but more trouble happens.
Eli finally starts giving Kenny the chance which brings things to a couple heads until they really talk. Luke, Kenny's best friend having a rough go too and he takes out on Eli which makes difficult for bit. Luke makes up by doing something in return for Eli before end.
Eli self doubt so badly was reason it got four star. I wanted to yell at him at times. The love between them was great and they're cute together.
October 16, 2017
3.5* Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
I found this latest book in the Cattle Valley Series to be a sweeter read. Books featuring characters with a significant age difference (almost twenty years) will most likely never be my ‘go to’ reads but there was just something so appealing about Eli and Kenny together. Kenny has been in love with his (then) teacher Eli since he was in High School and I honestly found the depth and endurance of his emotions extremely nice and it just made for a satisfying read.
Both men had difficult childhoods and that followed them into adulthood in differing ways; I liked seeing Eli come to the realization that he couldn’t hide himself away forever just out of fear of being hurt and it was nice seeing Kenny give him the support he needed while coming out of his self imposed exile. I also really enjoyed that you get to see events happening outside of the usual Cattle Valley setting. Don’t get me wrong, the kind of idyllic setting the characters of this setting have would be amazing to see in real life but I liked the added realism of seeing Eli somewhere else. Sadly, the events that take place there weren’t the best but it added another dimension to the story aside from just focusing on Eli and Kenny’s relationship.
Sex is kind of a secondary thing in this story, which I very much enjoyed; more than anything the focus was on the love between the main characters and I appreciated that. Not to say that there weren’t some naughty interludes but they were more a byproduct of the feelings Eli and Kenny shared rather than just fueled by lust with feelings happening later. Overall I found this to be an nice easy read that made for a good way to relax while my son was napping and I will probably read it again in the future.
I found this latest book in the Cattle Valley Series to be a sweeter read. Books featuring characters with a significant age difference (almost twenty years) will most likely never be my ‘go to’ reads but there was just something so appealing about Eli and Kenny together. Kenny has been in love with his (then) teacher Eli since he was in High School and I honestly found the depth and endurance of his emotions extremely nice and it just made for a satisfying read.
Both men had difficult childhoods and that followed them into adulthood in differing ways; I liked seeing Eli come to the realization that he couldn’t hide himself away forever just out of fear of being hurt and it was nice seeing Kenny give him the support he needed while coming out of his self imposed exile. I also really enjoyed that you get to see events happening outside of the usual Cattle Valley setting. Don’t get me wrong, the kind of idyllic setting the characters of this setting have would be amazing to see in real life but I liked the added realism of seeing Eli somewhere else. Sadly, the events that take place there weren’t the best but it added another dimension to the story aside from just focusing on Eli and Kenny’s relationship.
Sex is kind of a secondary thing in this story, which I very much enjoyed; more than anything the focus was on the love between the main characters and I appreciated that. Not to say that there weren’t some naughty interludes but they were more a byproduct of the feelings Eli and Kenny shared rather than just fueled by lust with feelings happening later. Overall I found this to be an nice easy read that made for a good way to relax while my son was napping and I will probably read it again in the future.
February 18, 2021
I had gotten into the Cattle Valley series years ago and read the first 18 books. Then I lost track and now thanks to Kindle Unlimited, I'm picking back up again with number 19, Making the Grade.
This was a pleasant read, an age-gap, teacher/former student romance with both internal and some external angst ending with a HEA. It seemed awfully short however. Just as things got rolling along, it suddenly ended. It took me by surprise how quickly I finished this story. I guess I was just hoping for more.
This was a pleasant read, an age-gap, teacher/former student romance with both internal and some external angst ending with a HEA. It seemed awfully short however. Just as things got rolling along, it suddenly ended. It took me by surprise how quickly I finished this story. I guess I was just hoping for more.
October 22, 2022
Zurück nach Cattle Valley
Kenny schwärmt für seinen ehemaligen Lehrer Eli schon seit Jahren. Um ihm näher zu kommen wurde er selbst Sportlehrer an der alten Highschool, doch Eli hält Abstand. Ein Auswärtsspiel der örtlichen Footballmannschaft, zu dem auch Eli fährt, lässt Kenny hoffen, endlich die Chance zu bekommen, ihm seine Gefühle zu gestehen. Leider gibt es einen Zwischenfall, der Kennys Pläne durchkreuzt, doch er gibt nicht auf.
Lieblingsfach - Eli verführen ist wieder eine berührende Liebesgeschichte aus Cattle Valley, die ich gerne gelesen habe.
Kenny schwärmt für seinen ehemaligen Lehrer Eli schon seit Jahren. Um ihm näher zu kommen wurde er selbst Sportlehrer an der alten Highschool, doch Eli hält Abstand. Ein Auswärtsspiel der örtlichen Footballmannschaft, zu dem auch Eli fährt, lässt Kenny hoffen, endlich die Chance zu bekommen, ihm seine Gefühle zu gestehen. Leider gibt es einen Zwischenfall, der Kennys Pläne durchkreuzt, doch er gibt nicht auf.
Lieblingsfach - Eli verführen ist wieder eine berührende Liebesgeschichte aus Cattle Valley, die ich gerne gelesen habe.
December 10, 2020
Cattle Valley
Another great age gap story added to this fantastic series when the school football coach has his heart set on making his first crush take a chance at love
Another great age gap story added to this fantastic series when the school football coach has his heart set on making his first crush take a chance at love
March 21, 2011
As all of the other books in this series, it is a quick and fun read. The characters are well developed and you want to find out how their love story unfolds, particularly in the lovely gay-friendly town of Cattle Valley. For perhaps the first time in this series, the characters venture outside of their protected landscape and into the “real world” of Wyoming. The consequences are striking and provide an opportunity for the main characters to come together.
As in the other books in this series, the sex is spaced evenly throughout the story and is quite tame. This is a love story, more than hot rampant sex, but don’t expect the love scenes to further the character dialogue much.
Overall, this is a good read and well-liked characters. While the struggles at times feel contrived with several communication mishaps, the story is a one-sitting read and a great next installment of the series.
Out of four…
Overall Read: ♥♥♥
Sex Heat: ♥
Plot: ♥♥
Read this book (and this entire series), if you’re looking for more love than hot sex, and great characters to get to know.
As in the other books in this series, the sex is spaced evenly throughout the story and is quite tame. This is a love story, more than hot rampant sex, but don’t expect the love scenes to further the character dialogue much.
Overall, this is a good read and well-liked characters. While the struggles at times feel contrived with several communication mishaps, the story is a one-sitting read and a great next installment of the series.
Out of four…
Overall Read: ♥♥♥
Sex Heat: ♥
Plot: ♥♥
Read this book (and this entire series), if you’re looking for more love than hot sex, and great characters to get to know.
April 11, 2016
I loved Kenny and Eli. I felt so bad for Eli, he had such a rough life, much different than Kenny although similiar in the fact that their parents didn't ever have time for them.
If I was Kenny, I'd have his dads start doing things around the house for his mom and I'd let them get used to him not being around for a while, see if they start appreciating him after that. I hated that that never got resovled but I'm glad he has Eli now.
I also hated for Eli that they never caught the guys responsible for their blatant hate crime. It's stupid the one guy got caught for something so petty but the real crime he's going unpunished for. That's not right and it ruined it for me quite a bit.
The rest I absolutely adored, I loved Luke as well, I hope he finds someone amazing. I love how Kenny knew when he was so young that he was in love with Eli and he couldn't be swayed from it. I love that Eli finally let love in and accepted Kenny's love for him. I wish he'd have done it much sooner.
Lovely addition to an awesome series!
On to the next!
If I was Kenny, I'd have his dads start doing things around the house for his mom and I'd let them get used to him not being around for a while, see if they start appreciating him after that. I hated that that never got resovled but I'm glad he has Eli now.
I also hated for Eli that they never caught the guys responsible for their blatant hate crime. It's stupid the one guy got caught for something so petty but the real crime he's going unpunished for. That's not right and it ruined it for me quite a bit.
The rest I absolutely adored, I loved Luke as well, I hope he finds someone amazing. I love how Kenny knew when he was so young that he was in love with Eli and he couldn't be swayed from it. I love that Eli finally let love in and accepted Kenny's love for him. I wish he'd have done it much sooner.
Lovely addition to an awesome series!
On to the next!
February 21, 2013
Second chances M/M romance about two men that were meant to be, but had to wait until one grew up. Kenny Trenton has been in love with Mr. Eli Sanchez since he was in high school, and Eli was his English teacher. In Cattle Valley there is a lot tolerance, but nothing was going to happen until KEnny grew up into a man and came back to Cattle Valley as the Phys-Ed teacher at the high school. Eli Sanchez is still making his teaching job his whole life, but he finally feels that it is time to make some changes and Kenny comes in at the right time to help Eli open up and make friends. Also, to fall in love with someone that has always loved him (read: Kenny).
Sweet romance even it is every parent's nightmare to have a teach fall for a student, there isn't any ick factor because they wait until Kenny is 27 before anything happens. There is gay bashing in this story which is so sad, but totally realistic.
2 stars
Sweet romance even it is every parent's nightmare to have a teach fall for a student, there isn't any ick factor because they wait until Kenny is 27 before anything happens. There is gay bashing in this story which is so sad, but totally realistic.
2 stars
April 4, 2011
I think the series has reached it's 'end' for me. The past several stories has been just OK. What started out as a fun/quirky type of "soap opera-esque" series has been running out of steam. I continue to read them, hoping that Ms. Lynne comes back with a revival story. This story isn't different from the others. Older man/younger man relationship - 17 years age difference. Both men has had a crush on each other for 10 years - older man didn't want to be a pervert (crushing on a teen), so did nothing about it during HS. Younger man came back to the same HS were his "crush" still teaches. Days, months, etc. passes and it took a hate crime for either to realize they have the same feelings for each other. This was a recycled story using similar situations from previous books. Still hoping that the next installment/story will be THE one to pull Ms. Lynn out of the rut.
January 31, 2013
These boys, Kenny and Eli, were so good to read about. Kenny was a student of Eli's and now he's back in Cattle Valley teaching at the school himself. He's always been in love with Eli but it took a long time to convince Eli that Kenny isn't a seventeen year old boy anymore and he knows what he wants.
They both have some serious issues stemming from their childhoods but together they fight to get over it and fight for each other, which is one of the best things to see. Love fighting to stay real :) Loved these boys!
They both have some serious issues stemming from their childhoods but together they fight to get over it and fight for each other, which is one of the best things to see. Love fighting to stay real :) Loved these boys!
November 12, 2013
I always enjoy "visiting" Cattle Valley, and this trip was no exception. Both Eli and Kenny are great characters, and Lynne did an excellent job showing us why Eli has closed himself off for so many years. Just when Eli decides to open his life to Kenny, a horrible thing happens to him, and it really hit home with me in light of recent tragic events in the news.
All in all, this is a great story.
As a teacher, though, I have to admit that the having sex at work scene did stress me out a bit. Trust me when I say that teenagers find out everything. LOL!
All in all, this is a great story.
As a teacher, though, I have to admit that the having sex at work scene did stress me out a bit. Trust me when I say that teenagers find out everything. LOL!
August 16, 2014
This book made me so angry I think part of the reason I love the cattle valley books so much is because its basically the gay utopia where everyone is happy ... to see someone from CV get hurt just about broke my heart I am glad that the book had an HEA but it really upset me to even have to read about that ...
October 7, 2010
Always love Carol lynne and find myself eagerly awaiting her next book...
This one didn't disappoint... Abit of mild conflict from inside and outside the relationship but incredibly hot and sweet
This one didn't disappoint... Abit of mild conflict from inside and outside the relationship but incredibly hot and sweet
January 7, 2012
I really liked Kenny and Eli, I understand Eli's reluctance in getting involved with Kenny.
Even though Kenny is now an adult and a teacher himself, he was Eli's student at one point, and Eli's family history explained a lot. And Kenny, i'm so glad he got his HEA.
Even though Kenny is now an adult and a teacher himself, he was Eli's student at one point, and Eli's family history explained a lot. And Kenny, i'm so glad he got his HEA.
January 2, 2011
Not my fav of the CV series. This one needed a bit more to it, I think.
December 6, 2010
This is another great addition to Carol Lynne's Cattle Valley series. Definitely a book that I would recommend to a friend.
December 3, 2013
Eli got on my nerves and he did appear weak to me. I did like Kenny and Luke. Can't wait for Luke's story.
September 10, 2016
Love this story...fantastic
April 18, 2014
Ohhh.... nice and angsty! Poor needy Eli.
June 13, 2014
I love this pairing and was feeling so sorry for Eli and all his mishappenings. And the town coming together to paint his house was just magical.
December 26, 2014
Эли - старый, патетичный нытик. Ничего привлекательного в нем не увидела абсолютно.
August 19, 2011
2.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews