mollyreadsandcrafts's Reviews (978)

I knew I was going to like this because I really enjoy reading about more complicated characters like Ryan - with anxiety/mental health struggles and seeming to be not quite what you expect. I also love a good opposites attract in my LGBTQ+ romances and this hit all the marks for me. A sweet romance, some mild angst, but overall a good book about the conversation of sports and mental health. 

•minor spoilers• 

I knew I'd liked Ryan before I started and I wasn't disappointed. It makes me so happy when a character like that finds their special someone to care for and that was exactly what Fabian was. I wish Fabian was a little more understanding of the hockey stuff, but I can see how the toxicity of it all had shaped him and his struggles with it. I think this author does a good job of having pretty realistic conflicts in her books, which I really enjoy. Fabian's friends were great to read about because they called him out when he needed it, while having more depth than a usual side character. 

With Ryan and - not to label him, but for description's sake - seemingly asexual/demisexual tendencies, this book had about 1/4 of the sex scenes of the previous books in the series. As that was something I didn't love in those previous books, it was nice to see their emotional relationship develop a little more outside of their physical connection. And the book was a lot shorter, I assume because of that. I swear I'm not a prude. 

The writing was once again great, and like I previously said I enjoyed the discussion around mental health in sports. It's always interesting to read about those, if somewhat heartbreaking as well. I hope we get to see these guys more in the last books of the series. Especially with Ilya and Shane being in this one very lightly. I wish Wyatt had his own book but of course he's happily married to doctor. Onto the next! 

Read if you like: 
• hockey 
• opposites attract 
• mental health healing

When Alblie unexpectedly loses his father he has to prove to the town that he can handle managing their large farm by himself. When in town he meets Percy and hires him to work on the farm. They quickly form a close friendship, and discover they might have more in common than they thought. It's not easy work farming up on the mountain, but they are determined to show that they can handle anything life throws at them. 

Albie and Percy are actually pretty dang sweet. They're both, understandably, inexperienced and cautious of their feelings at first. Percy left his family to be his authentic self as best he can, and he found a new lovely home with Albie on the farm. I love how much he truly enjoys the work and adores Albie. Albie really comes into his own throughout the story. He knows when to ask for help and lets others support him. Percy is the best at it, giving him just enough to help but not be overbearing. They fit seamlessly together and have an endearing relationship full of cute teasing and loving moments. 

I've never read a book from the 1880s before and definitely not of Australian ranchers? farmers? so it was a cool new experience. It was a lot more low angst than I was expecting, but I still enjoyed the story because of the interesting setting. I loved the little found family they have with the other workers. They're all good people trying their hardest to figure out the new dynamics and support one another so they succeed. I'm a fan of some of N.R. Walker's other books in the FU series and this was my first standalone of hers I've read. This was a win and I'm looking forward to her other good reads! 

Read if you like: 
• cowboy romance                                     
• historical romance           
• found family    

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Everett is a new stock detective who is sent to a small town in the Crazy Mountains to investigate a series of crimes. Everything seems tied to the bad boy cowboy Lawrence, who runs one of the ranches. Everett is drawn to Lawrence in more than one way and when he offers his help on the case, it's possible either the Crazies could claim their next victim or Everett could find all the answers he's looking for. 

Everett is recovering from losing his partner while serving overseas and there are a lot of parallels to the situation he now finds himself in. He tends to lose himself to the flashbacks but Law is able to help him ground himself in the present. Law didn't think he'd ever find the life partner he truly wanted until Everett blew into town. They fall fast and there's not a huge buildup, but they're really good together and just click. The ending is kind of low key but I like to think they're still together in those Crazy Mountains.  

I liked the story all around, it just wasn't as deep as some of the other Tal books I've read. The romance was actually kind of shallow and I could've done with more of it. The whole story was pretty interesting, but I really enjoyed the how the setting was written. I've never read a book from this area before or with Montana ranchers and I felt immersed in the small town ranching drama. I feel like it's a book you read on vacation or something as some fun entertainment without getting too emotionally involved. It was pretty cool, but not my favorite. 

Read if you like: 
• cowboy romance                                     
• hurt/comfort          
• mystery/suspense   

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Noah and Cole are happily living in domesticity when a monster from Cole's past brings his nightmares to back to life. Cole has to try to catch the one who got away before the killer turns the hunt on him.

While the first book was a bit more focused on Noah and his insecurities with his sexuality, Cole felt more of the main character in this story. As much as Cole supported Noah in the first book, this time it's Noah's turn to be the one Cole depends on. They had to fight for their love and their future even when things seemed impossible.  I loved how it added a lot of depth to their established romance and showed how much their relationship has grown. Though it was important to know some of Cole's backstory, I wish that there was more of the romance between Cole and Noah. They had some moments in the beginning and end, but this was kind of more focused on Cole slowly unraveling while Noah was trying to be there for him. It was sweet as always, but I wanted a little more of just them. 

I was so surprised by how dark this was for a Tal book! It was engaging and definitely more of a thriller type of read. This book was so well written which is why the more disturbing moments were so hard to read. There's a lot of interaction with a horrible serial killer and it's a little traumatic, but it really rounded out the story and gave more insight into Cole's past. I did like where everything ended up, even if I was hoping for something a little more swoony at the end. It was a really good read, and if Tal ever takes us back to their world I would love to read more! 

Read if you like: 
• workplace/office romance                                   
• hurt/comfort          
• mystery/suspense   

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Noah is trying to answer questions he's always had about his sexuality, and what better than a night in Vegas? Cole is a man straight from his fantasies, but work drags Noah away before they can explore more. When Cole shows up to consult on the case, Noah has to grapple with his sexual identity and how it'll affect his family and work, his feelings for Cole, and an increasingly unhinged killer from his past.  

Noah and Cole definitely fall fast and hard, but it's difficult not to when they work so well together. Honestly Cole is so dreamy and he's so smart and smooth that I'm even crushing on him. I love that when Noah was struggling and trying to maybe put himself out there, he happened to find the most perfect, kind, and patient man. Cole has been living a fast paced life and finds everything he never knew he needed with Noah and his family - a love he's never felt before and the stability he didn't know he craved. They were a tad too insta-feels for my taste, but I still love them together and can't wait to see what's next for them. 

The true crime/suspense plot was so good! If you like Criminal Minds (which I'm a huge fan of), you'll love this. As always I wasn't sure who the suspect was but I had a feeling about a few things. It definitely was more of a main part of the story and more intertwined with their romance and characters. Once again with Tal Bauer, it's a really satisfying ending for Cole and Noah - but there's a second book! I'm looking forward to diving into more crime, drama, and passion with these two. 

Read if you like: 
• one night stand                                    
• forced proximity          
• mystery/suspense   

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