Safety info, content warnings and tropes down below.

ARC review.
This book managed to do something very few books have done before it — made me like it after making me dislike it.

Once I start being annoyed by a character or a plot, there’s usually no going back, and the characters and plot in this annoyed me plenty. There’s something about grown men being rivals for no good reason that is annoying more than the funny and endearing it’s supposed to be. Like, just grow up, right? Both MCs take turns being dickheads and generally unpleasant people — until they suddenly aren’t. I can’t pinpoint exactly where, when or why the shift happened. I’m not a fan of little boys in the school playground teasing and pushing the girls or boys they like, and I’m not a fan of adult men doing the same thing — which is what a lot of this book felt like.

“I’m thirty-eight years old, Colt,” I say with a huff. “I’m tired of bickering like kids.”

I’m tired of it too, y’all.

Even though I’m (surprisingly) giving this four stars, it’s not a very complimentary review. I liked it more and more as the book went on and thought it ended strong. There was enough drama and a touch of angst to keep me invested even through a slump, and the dynamic between Colton and Noah was amazing once it fell into place. It was really nice to see that slow shift from heated tension and lust to caring and love. It actually felt believable, which is so important with enemies to lovers.

“I want to hate you.” “I know.” “I don’t want to hate you at all.” My heart kicks. My cock, too. “I know, baby.”

The author also made me tear up on Colton’s behalf while I was actively complaining about him in the group chat, which impressed and annoyed me in equal measure.

This one took me on a personal emotional roller coaster, and even tho I had complaints, I really did end up enjoying it. I will never be the target audience for rivals/enemies to lovers, and I’m a difficult and unsympathetic reader, so the fact that I went from nearly hating Colton to really liking him deserves some sort of award.

It also made me laugh with this scene:

“You know…boyfriends or whatever.” He looks downright amused at my sour expression. “Does it pain you to say that?” “You know damn well it does. Number one, I’m thirty-fucking-seven, thank you. The word feels ridiculous. Number two…it’s you.” “Mhm,” Noah hums, sliding our plate out of the way. “My salami,” I mumble.

Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Rivals to lovers
Farriers
Small town
Cowboys
Double sexual awakening
Loves being manhandled
Tattooed MC
Hand-collaring
Root vegetable violation
Lotsa hand-on-dick action
Dom/brat vibes
Spitter
Only one horse
Jealousy and possessiveness
Flip-fucking
Multiple orgasms

⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mentions of death of parents (past)
Alcohol consumption
Explicit sexual content
Shoving between MCs

⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Both MCs go to a gay club — separately — after their first hookup. Colton is there to see if he’s attracted to other men. Noah’s intentions aren’t mentioned. He’s got someone else’s hand up his shirt when they see each other in the club. There’s a few scenes with MCs being hit on by women, and some that cause jealousy, but it’s lighthearted and the MCs aren’t interested in anyone else.
Breakup: Almost
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 37 and 38
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 315
Happy ending: Yes


Jackson scowls, and Ash laughs, reaching up to pull my brother down into a quick kiss. It’s so cute I want to fling myself into the fire.

Relatable.

“Colt,” he says in warning. “I want to know why you’re stuck in my head. In my life,” I growl, shoving the man again. “I want—” Noah grabs my arm and spins me bodily into his workbench. I scramble to grab ahold of it, catching my weight, the wooden edge digging into my ass as Noah’s hand grips the front of my throat.

“I don’t like you,” I remind him. “You don’t have to. Not for this.”

“I like that moment you give in,” he practically whispers. “When you stop fighting yourself.”

“No running,” I remind him, brushing his hair back, letting my thumb stroke down his cheek to his jawline. I pluck up his chin, raising an eyebrow. He swallows, but he doesn’t look away, and, slowly, I bring my mouth to his.