mollyreadsandcrafts's Reviews (978)

When Dakota gets a call to work a murder case back in his hometown in Big Bend, the last person he expects to see is the man who broke his heart over a decade ago. Shane has spent the last decade feeling like a failure, but when Dakota comes back to help him on a case all those buried feelings are ready to burst. Secrets and suspense pile high in this small West Texas town as Dakota and Shane hunt a murderer and confront their past. 

This one hit me right in the feels from the start! Dakota and Shane had such a sweet romance as teens and it absolutely broke my heart to see how everything ended up. Especially for sweet Dakota who was ready back then to give everything to Shane, and still is a decade later. I loved their epic pining and seeing their romance from when they were teens. They just had this special connection from the start which made it even more satisfying when they came back together later in life. Even as they've grown and changed, they still are a perfect match for one another and have unconditional love. I'm a little obsessed with them and their cozy Texan life. 

Their romance was the star of the book for me but the whole crime/murder plot was really interesting too. I'm the worst at figuring out who the killer is so I didn't guess but you could tell right when things were about to get wild and there was definitely anxiety. I really enjoyed pretty much everything about this book. I've never been to West Texas but I loved how Tal described everything and I hope one day we get to explore it more with more books in the series! 

Read if you like: 
• friends to lovers                                    
• second chance          
• mystery/suspense   

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Wren had always kept his head down and kept to himself, until Sutton breaks into his work one night. Sutton should be everything he hates, entitled and arrogant. But as Wren gets to know him, he starts thinking that maybe the blunt and self-proclaimed shallow man is exactly what he needs to help with his anxieties. 

I absolutely adored Wren - from how at first he couldn't care less about Sutton's antics all through his journey to becoming more confident in standing up for himself and his love. It was perfect for Sutton to see someone more real than his shallow lifestyle who wouldn't so easily be victim to his charm. Sutton adored all of who Wren was and was able to help him look beyond his insecurities and show Wren he was completely wanted and desired. They might not have wanted to fall in love, but there was no denying the many sweet and endearing moments that showed just how much they actually cared for one another. Briar always has the best banter and chemistry between her characters and this was no exception.

This one didn't hit me quite in the feels like some of my more angstier reads lately but it definitely tugged on my heartstrings. I took me a little bit to get into it, but I really liked the story as it went on. I actually found the ending kind of heartwarming. How they came back together and were there for each other was just really sweet. The characters made the story for me, and I loved seeing some of our old favorites from the series enjoying their happily ever after. 

Read if you like: 
• opposites attract                                    
• hurt/comfort         
• "teach me"   

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Taking some space from his closest friend and ex-roommate, Kason moves in with Hayes for his senior year. Despite a less than ideal start, they grow closer than they thought possible. But their futures are coming at them fast, leaving them with difficult choices to make. 

I've been looking forward to Kason's story since Caught Stealing. I really wanted him to find his person and Hayes was surprisingly perfect. With their rocky start I really didn't see how it was going to work out but they couldn't be a better match. Hayes is the typical black cat, antisocial, grump but Kason was such a good guy he didn't stand a chance. I'll always be a sucker for the "hates everyone but you" microtrope. Even as friends they had such great banter and chemistry that it easily turned into a deep intimacy where they were truly able to see and love the other just as they are. I just loved their dynamic and the fact they had so many entertaining and endearing moments made it even better. 

I enjoyed a majority of the story, but this last few chapters fell the tiniest bit flat. I didn't not like it, I just thought they both could've fought a little harder for one another. I liked how Kason came into his own in that time, but Hayes kind of stayed the same and didn't really have a plan. I also wish we had more of an epilogue because I really liked their relationship and wanted to see them in the future. I'm really curious about the next few books, there are so many interesting characters! 

Read if you like: 
• sports romance                                   
• opposites attract       
• roommates to lovers 

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I wasn't sure what to expect going into this after the author's note that it wouldn't be for everyone, but I enjoyed it. Holden was amazing while Phoenix grew on me after a while. Lots of angst and drama and all the good stuff. 

Phoenix and Kason are BFFs/basically brothers, and Phoenix is super protective of Kason. So when Holden, a huge playboy, becomes interested in Kason, Phoenix isn't a fan. I didn't love how Phoenix handled this. I thought it was way too much and he needed to let Kason live his life. Kason and Phoenix are codependent, with Phoenix giving Kason whatever he asks for and Kason relying too much on Phoenix. But I thought trying to cockblock him at every opportunity while Kason was trying to explore his sexuality after just coming out of the closet wasn't necessary or supportive. However, their friendship has its own arc throughout the story, and I did like where it ended. 

Phoenix trying to interfere with Kason and Holden's budding romance puts him and Holden in this back and forth that slowly turns into something more. Aside from everything with Kason, I loved Phoenix and Holden together. Holden is a top book boyfriend in my opinion, funny and loving. He knew what he wanted and went for it despite knowing it was going to be a messier option. Phoenix grew on me. I didn't love that he wouldn't just communicate with Kason, not only to alleviate his own guilt but so he could just be with Holden with no secrets. When they were together though, they had such an amazing connection. Not only just great chemistry but similar interests and values which lead to really fun banter and swoony moments.

As far as the "love triangle" aspect, to me Holden and Kason weren't together. They were interested one another superficially, and I think Phoenix didn't make great choices, but it was lying about it after the fact that was the biggest issue. That being said, I'm really excited to get into Kason's story when it comes out. I think he deserves a chance to be more independent after leaning on Phoenix for so long. Can't wait to see what comes next for everyone in the series! 

Read if you like 
• sports romance 
• secret relationship 
• hate to love