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Clouds and Rain #1
Clouds and Rain
A Clouds and Rain Story
Flynn Tomlinson has drifted for several years, working odd jobs when he needs the money and moving on when he doesn’t. He’s content with his freestyle life, not tied down, not responsible for anyone but himself. Then he comes across a Help Wanted ad in a post office in Idaho and meets Gable Sutton. Gable can’t pay Flynn until he sells his horses, but a serious accident has left him unable to work his ranch alone.
Working with horses beats stacking shelves at the supermarket, and so Flynn agrees to Gable’s terms. What Flynn doesn’t bargain for is being captivated by this gentle, lonely man who captures his heart and moves Flynn to take on an incredible saving Gable’s ranch.
Flynn Tomlinson has drifted for several years, working odd jobs when he needs the money and moving on when he doesn’t. He’s content with his freestyle life, not tied down, not responsible for anyone but himself. Then he comes across a Help Wanted ad in a post office in Idaho and meets Gable Sutton. Gable can’t pay Flynn until he sells his horses, but a serious accident has left him unable to work his ranch alone.
Working with horses beats stacking shelves at the supermarket, and so Flynn agrees to Gable’s terms. What Flynn doesn’t bargain for is being captivated by this gentle, lonely man who captures his heart and moves Flynn to take on an incredible saving Gable’s ranch.
250 pages, ebook
First published February 7, 2011
About the author
Zahra Owens
57 books187 followersZAHRA OWENS is a multi-lingual globetrotter who loves big cities, but also has a weak spot for the wide-open spaces that are so rare where she lives.
She likes her men either tough on the outside but with a huge soft center, or strong, silent and damaged. She makes it her personal goal to find them their happy-ever-after, the road there often leading via hospital beds, villas with gorgeous vistas or ranges full of horses.
Zahra is a proud member of the Rainbow Romance Writers, the Romance Writers of America, and is also a member of RWA’s Professional Author’s Network.
If Zahra had her wish, a day would have at least 36 hours, because how else would she find the time to finish all the novels still inside her head?
Visit her web site at http://www.zahraowens.com/
and on Facebook or Twitter
She likes her men either tough on the outside but with a huge soft center, or strong, silent and damaged. She makes it her personal goal to find them their happy-ever-after, the road there often leading via hospital beds, villas with gorgeous vistas or ranges full of horses.
Zahra is a proud member of the Rainbow Romance Writers, the Romance Writers of America, and is also a member of RWA’s Professional Author’s Network.
If Zahra had her wish, a day would have at least 36 hours, because how else would she find the time to finish all the novels still inside her head?
Visit her web site at http://www.zahraowens.com/
and on Facebook or Twitter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews
September 24, 2014
Hello and welcome to my review of the wonderful *rolls eyes* review of Clouds and Rain. Sit back and enjoy as I rant about my view of this book.
I must admit I started this book and I was excited. The blurb drew me into this book. It was actually the best part of the book when all is said and done. But the more I read, the more I hated this book and wanted to curl into a corner and cry.
This was me when I started the book.
That changed very quickly. Flynn and Gable were sweet enough together. I enjoyed watching them build a relationship. I liked both of the MC's. It was a nice start to a relationship. But, then we hear about the ex. Grant. That was okay, I hated him, but at least he had his best friend Calley.
This is what I thought of the wonderful, Calley (and Grant) if it was put to me.
Calley (Gable's best friend) cheated on her husband. With who? You may ask. With Grant of course, the then boyfriend of said best friend. Wonderful! After he left Gable when he was injured. And even better, she could not pick sides. But the wonderful plot does not finish building. Oh no, it does not!
Calley got pregnant from that affair. Yes, she got pregnant! With her best friends, boyfriend's baby!
So, if you are wondering if it could get worse. The simple answer is yes. It got a lot worse, to the point of it being weird. Gable forgave Grant and Calley and all four men (Flynn, Gable, Grant and Hunter, who was Grant's boyfriend) donated sperm to help Calley and her husband have a baby.
I will say one thing, some people may love this and I will look for those who did. I added this to my creepy shelf because it did creep me out.
Wonderful book. As you can tell I loved it sooooo much. I am now off to pat myself on the back for keeping my marbles. I will leave you now with my reaction, after I read this book.
I must admit I started this book and I was excited. The blurb drew me into this book. It was actually the best part of the book when all is said and done. But the more I read, the more I hated this book and wanted to curl into a corner and cry.
This was me when I started the book.
That changed very quickly. Flynn and Gable were sweet enough together. I enjoyed watching them build a relationship. I liked both of the MC's. It was a nice start to a relationship. But, then we hear about the ex. Grant. That was okay, I hated him, but at least he had his best friend Calley.
This is what I thought of the wonderful, Calley (and Grant) if it was put to me.
Calley (Gable's best friend) cheated on her husband. With who? You may ask. With Grant of course, the then boyfriend of said best friend. Wonderful! After he left Gable when he was injured. And even better, she could not pick sides. But the wonderful plot does not finish building. Oh no, it does not!
Calley got pregnant from that affair. Yes, she got pregnant! With her best friends, boyfriend's baby!
So, if you are wondering if it could get worse. The simple answer is yes. It got a lot worse, to the point of it being weird. Gable forgave Grant and Calley and all four men (Flynn, Gable, Grant and Hunter, who was Grant's boyfriend) donated sperm to help Calley and her husband have a baby.
I will say one thing, some people may love this and I will look for those who did. I added this to my creepy shelf because it did creep me out.
Wonderful book. As you can tell I loved it sooooo much. I am now off to pat myself on the back for keeping my marbles. I will leave you now with my reaction, after I read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 1, 2012
The book was going along swimmingly and then we had to have another horrible female character, the so called best friend. I felt very, very sorry for Gabe if that's what he had for a friend. The book was depressing as Gabe trusted this woman so much that he had her in charge of his medical decisions when he was incapacitated.
In addition, somehow we had to include Gabe's horrible ex and give him some undeserved happiness on Gabe's property.
After all this I didn't bother to finish this one. Why saddle your nice characters, Gabe & Flynn with such poisonous friends. It ruined a perfectly nice story.
In addition, somehow we had to include Gabe's horrible ex and give him some undeserved happiness on Gabe's property.
After all this I didn't bother to finish this one. Why saddle your nice characters, Gabe & Flynn with such poisonous friends. It ruined a perfectly nice story.
January 2, 2012
I totally loved this book....... was thinking this was going to go on my favorites shelf. Then it went downhill fast, around the 50 or 60% mark I guess.
It started out good. Flynn (a drifter) accepts a position at Gable's ranch. While the ages of the two were never mentioned (I don't think) it was stated many times throughout the book that Gable was old enough to be Flynn's dad. Gable had suffered a serious accident in the past, though I'm also thinking the time lapse between the accident wasn't mentioned either. It may have been and I missed it. There is instant attraction between the two men but neither is in a hurry to act on it for various reasons. I loved watching them come together as a couple. There was a lot of talk about Gable's ex, Grant. None of it flattering. Grant is described as a cruel, cheating bastard who disappeared after Gable's accident. A manly man who was deeply in the closet and would brag about sleeping with one woman after another in front of Gable while they were together. A total jerk.
Then there is Calley, Gable's so-called best friend. I had a hard time even in the beginning liking her but then that dislike turned into total disgust. I totally hated her character completely by the time I got to the end of the book.
So what made me go from wanting to give this book 5 stars to totally hating it?
First it was when Grant came back into the picture. Though it took a little while, he was forgiven for what he did to Gable. Not only forgiven but became FRIENDS with Flynn and Gabe. Huh? I understand forgiveness but please. That so would not happen in the real world. Not in mine anyway.
Now Calley. Calley is Gable's best friend...... supposedly. It is hinted throughout the book that there was some type of history between Calley and Gabe that went beyond basic friendship. Also, Gabe is in the hospital after almost dying as a result of his past injury and Grant shows up and Calley is all buddy buddy with him..... even after knowing what he did to Gabe in the past. Then she tells Flynn "I can't choose sides." Well yeah, you do. You stick by your friend (BEST friend) when you see someone hurt him/her. That was the beginning of my dislike for her. Then later it comes out that Calley had had an affair with Grant while Gabe and Grant were together. Oh and she's married at the time. Not only does she cheat on her husband but she cheats WITH her best friend's lover? And Gabe accepted that and STAYED her best friend? Not just cheated but got pregnant with the man's baby, which she later lost. And then later Gabe donates his sperm so that she could have the baby she wanted so badly? Even after all she did to him? Some best friend.
That totally killed it for me.
Also, there was a lot of talk about Flynn not getting along with his father and having to leave his family yet nothing was explained. It was just mentioned in passing. Considering that Flynn was basically the only character I liked, I would have liked to have seen his story explained more.
I didn't understand the point of the 4 men donating sperm for Calley to have a baby. Not only was all of that just weird, it made no sense that Calley's husband would go along with the man she had had an affair with (Grant) being one of the donors.
The author took an excellent story..... and it WAS an excellent story....... and totally killed it with the Calley and Grant thing.
I see that Grant and Hunter have their story after this. I can't see where anything would make me like Grant after this book so I'm thinking I will definitely take a pass on the sequel.
I'm glad this was a freebie from the publisher. I am REALLY glad I didn't pay for this.
I like the author. I have read other books by her that I liked. And as I said, I DID like this one. Until it took such a strange turn.
It started out good. Flynn (a drifter) accepts a position at Gable's ranch. While the ages of the two were never mentioned (I don't think) it was stated many times throughout the book that Gable was old enough to be Flynn's dad. Gable had suffered a serious accident in the past, though I'm also thinking the time lapse between the accident wasn't mentioned either. It may have been and I missed it. There is instant attraction between the two men but neither is in a hurry to act on it for various reasons. I loved watching them come together as a couple. There was a lot of talk about Gable's ex, Grant. None of it flattering. Grant is described as a cruel, cheating bastard who disappeared after Gable's accident. A manly man who was deeply in the closet and would brag about sleeping with one woman after another in front of Gable while they were together. A total jerk.
Then there is Calley, Gable's so-called best friend. I had a hard time even in the beginning liking her but then that dislike turned into total disgust. I totally hated her character completely by the time I got to the end of the book.
So what made me go from wanting to give this book 5 stars to totally hating it?
First it was when Grant came back into the picture. Though it took a little while, he was forgiven for what he did to Gable. Not only forgiven but became FRIENDS with Flynn and Gabe. Huh? I understand forgiveness but please. That so would not happen in the real world. Not in mine anyway.
Now Calley. Calley is Gable's best friend...... supposedly. It is hinted throughout the book that there was some type of history between Calley and Gabe that went beyond basic friendship. Also, Gabe is in the hospital after almost dying as a result of his past injury and Grant shows up and Calley is all buddy buddy with him..... even after knowing what he did to Gabe in the past. Then she tells Flynn "I can't choose sides." Well yeah, you do. You stick by your friend (BEST friend) when you see someone hurt him/her. That was the beginning of my dislike for her. Then later it comes out that Calley had had an affair with Grant while Gabe and Grant were together. Oh and she's married at the time. Not only does she cheat on her husband but she cheats WITH her best friend's lover? And Gabe accepted that and STAYED her best friend? Not just cheated but got pregnant with the man's baby, which she later lost. And then later Gabe donates his sperm so that she could have the baby she wanted so badly? Even after all she did to him? Some best friend.
That totally killed it for me.
Also, there was a lot of talk about Flynn not getting along with his father and having to leave his family yet nothing was explained. It was just mentioned in passing. Considering that Flynn was basically the only character I liked, I would have liked to have seen his story explained more.
I didn't understand the point of the 4 men donating sperm for Calley to have a baby. Not only was all of that just weird, it made no sense that Calley's husband would go along with the man she had had an affair with (Grant) being one of the donors.
The author took an excellent story..... and it WAS an excellent story....... and totally killed it with the Calley and Grant thing.
I see that Grant and Hunter have their story after this. I can't see where anything would make me like Grant after this book so I'm thinking I will definitely take a pass on the sequel.
I'm glad this was a freebie from the publisher. I am REALLY glad I didn't pay for this.
I like the author. I have read other books by her that I liked. And as I said, I DID like this one. Until it took such a strange turn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2012
FYI - Spoilers. I'm just too lazy to bracket them :-/
I was liking this story very much. I enjoyed the way Flynn and Gable met, how they worked together and the sexual tension between the two. I even liked the fact Flynn and Gable started singing 'I love you's' way too soon. I liked Flynn and his need to have a permanent home and how he just wanted to take care of Gable. I liked Gable because he was so confused on why Flynn was staying with him and even how self-conscious and how low his self-worth really was.
However, while I liked the story in the beginning, it kind of took a wrong turn somewhere for me. I didn't enjoy how Gable essentially was using Flynn as a fuck-toy/housekeeper when it was clear Flynn wanted an actual relationship with feelings. Gable would be lovey dovey one moment then all but running from the room and cold as ice the next. It was like he was bi-polar and his actions towards Flynn when he was pissed frustrated me.
I didn't like the direction the story went in. I'm not overly fond of ex-lovers being in a story (Grant is in almost the whole last half of the book) and I don't enjoy female characters that much either (the best friend, Calley). Really, I didn't like how big a part Calley and her pregnancy played in the last half of the story. It felt wrong and inconsistent with the beginning. Honestly, I felt like it took away from my enjoyment especially when I felt like Calley was kind of manipulating Gable into being the babies daddy (while not actually having to be a daddy). It just felt wrong to me and like she was dumping all her problems on Gable and expected him to fix them for her so she could be happy and him and Flynn could be miserable instead. Okay, I may be over exaggerating on the miserable part but it still felt like she dumped all her problems on Gable and expected him to fix them.
The story was also very inconsistent in general. Flynn would say one thing and then end up doing something different. Gable said he'd never donate sperm unless he could physically be the kid's dad then ends up donating sperm. There was also the fact that the things mentioned in the beginning ended up being something different in the end (Flynn says Gable and him never cuddled in the beginning of their relationship which is inaccurate as they did cuddle, how they never slept close together before the accident when, in fact, they did) and other things like that.
I also felt like the second half of the story was a whole setup for the sequel (featuring Hunter and Grant). A lot of the scenes in the story were also unnecessary and just seemed like a filler. The timeline around the events had me questioning whether it was accurate or not. I also felt like the writing ranged between stunted and choppy. It made reading a bit difficult especially when it seemed to drag a bit.
With that said, I did like the story to some extent. I liked the characters enough and I liked the conflict regarding Gable's leg. I found that interesting although I had a problem coping with Gable's semi-easy acceptance of its loss considering he was so anti-amputation.
All in all, this was an okay story. I liked the beginning but I wasn't so fond of the rest. I liked Flynn even if what he said was counteracting other things he said and did. I think this will be a hit or miss with others, though, so I encourage people to still try reading it and make up your own mind whether you liked the story or not.
I was liking this story very much. I enjoyed the way Flynn and Gable met, how they worked together and the sexual tension between the two. I even liked the fact Flynn and Gable started singing 'I love you's' way too soon. I liked Flynn and his need to have a permanent home and how he just wanted to take care of Gable. I liked Gable because he was so confused on why Flynn was staying with him and even how self-conscious and how low his self-worth really was.
However, while I liked the story in the beginning, it kind of took a wrong turn somewhere for me. I didn't enjoy how Gable essentially was using Flynn as a fuck-toy/housekeeper when it was clear Flynn wanted an actual relationship with feelings. Gable would be lovey dovey one moment then all but running from the room and cold as ice the next. It was like he was bi-polar and his actions towards Flynn when he was pissed frustrated me.
I didn't like the direction the story went in. I'm not overly fond of ex-lovers being in a story (Grant is in almost the whole last half of the book) and I don't enjoy female characters that much either (the best friend, Calley). Really, I didn't like how big a part Calley and her pregnancy played in the last half of the story. It felt wrong and inconsistent with the beginning. Honestly, I felt like it took away from my enjoyment especially when I felt like Calley was kind of manipulating Gable into being the babies daddy (while not actually having to be a daddy). It just felt wrong to me and like she was dumping all her problems on Gable and expected him to fix them for her so she could be happy and him and Flynn could be miserable instead. Okay, I may be over exaggerating on the miserable part but it still felt like she dumped all her problems on Gable and expected him to fix them.
The story was also very inconsistent in general. Flynn would say one thing and then end up doing something different. Gable said he'd never donate sperm unless he could physically be the kid's dad then ends up donating sperm. There was also the fact that the things mentioned in the beginning ended up being something different in the end (Flynn says Gable and him never cuddled in the beginning of their relationship which is inaccurate as they did cuddle, how they never slept close together before the accident when, in fact, they did) and other things like that.
I also felt like the second half of the story was a whole setup for the sequel (featuring Hunter and Grant). A lot of the scenes in the story were also unnecessary and just seemed like a filler. The timeline around the events had me questioning whether it was accurate or not. I also felt like the writing ranged between stunted and choppy. It made reading a bit difficult especially when it seemed to drag a bit.
With that said, I did like the story to some extent. I liked the characters enough and I liked the conflict regarding Gable's leg. I found that interesting although I had a problem coping with Gable's semi-easy acceptance of its loss considering he was so anti-amputation.
All in all, this was an okay story. I liked the beginning but I wasn't so fond of the rest. I liked Flynn even if what he said was counteracting other things he said and did. I think this will be a hit or miss with others, though, so I encourage people to still try reading it and make up your own mind whether you liked the story or not.
June 15, 2011
Now I normally very much like Zahra Owens books but there was too much in this one that annoyed me. On the positive side I loved the slow build up between Gabe and Flynn and the fact that life wasn't in the least bit perfect, and if the story had just been about that it would have been lovely, but, yet again we have the obligatory female b/f and quite frankly what a manipulative bitch! Why she was still Gabe's b/f is quite beyond me, firstly the fact that she had an affair with his now ex-lover is bad enough but she was married at the time. So to me this meant she betrayed to people she was supposed to have loved! Next she has the audacity to ask (and to receive) sperm donnations from 4 men (one of which was the man she had said affair with) supposedly so that it was pure chance on the father of prospective child, then went ahead and used Gabe's donnation so that she could have a blonde kid. The fact that her relationship with her husband (whom she cheated on) is rocky appears to be neither here nor there. This whole senario to me was too far fetched and unbelievably selfish for words and really the story would have been so much better without it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2014
It wasn't terrible, but some of the emmotions rang a little hollow to me. I also couldn't get passed the fact that Hunter was building a realtionship with Grant after he was so miserable to Gable. Hunter and Gable were friends; what kind of friend would hire, let alone sleep with, someone who treated their friend so poorly? Not cool. Not cool at all. My impression of the book was not helped by Gable's name which is part of a roof, and was all I could think of while reading this.
February 9, 2011
Flynn Tomlinson is a young drifter, who comes across a Help Wanted ad to work at a ranch, owned by an older cowboy with a limp. Gable Sutton, the cowboy, can no longer work his ranch alone, he needs all the help he can get eventhough he doesn't have enough money to pay Flynn first before selling his horses. Flynn does not mind -- he used to grow up in a ranch and he misses working with horses. Besides he is attracted to the grumpy man and is willing to see where it will go. Gable has been hurt in the past, when the man he thought he loved walked out of him when he got the accident that damaged his leg. It isn't easy but Flynn is determined to save Gable's ranch AND his heart ..
At first, I'm a bit put off when I am faced with sex just within the first few chapters -- I have always prefer my romance novel not being too overwhelmed with sex. BUT, I am wrong ... because while the sex comes early but this story is mainly about the day-to-day life of Gable and Flynn and actually has a very good drama to it. It's a struggle for Flynn to make Gable open himself for love, as Gable always wonders why the young man is willing to stay for him. There are enough plotlines that make me keep reading, including how Gable deals with the fate of his leg (spoiler! he ends up being amputated) and the struggle to keep the ranch.
I think my only problem is, somehow this story never really reaches a climax, you know? It's not FLAT but the tone of this story is not really too high or too low. There are a couple of tension scenes, especially when Gable is in the first phase of adjusting with his amputated leg, but throughout the story, I cannot feel too deeply connected with any of the guys. The story is good, the writing is good, and I think it's worth reading. However, I miss that emotional attachment to the characters, and that's why I can only give it 3 stars.
At first, I'm a bit put off when I am faced with sex just within the first few chapters -- I have always prefer my romance novel not being too overwhelmed with sex. BUT, I am wrong ... because while the sex comes early but this story is mainly about the day-to-day life of Gable and Flynn and actually has a very good drama to it. It's a struggle for Flynn to make Gable open himself for love, as Gable always wonders why the young man is willing to stay for him. There are enough plotlines that make me keep reading, including how Gable deals with the fate of his leg (spoiler! he ends up being amputated) and the struggle to keep the ranch.
I think my only problem is, somehow this story never really reaches a climax, you know? It's not FLAT but the tone of this story is not really too high or too low. There are a couple of tension scenes, especially when Gable is in the first phase of adjusting with his amputated leg, but throughout the story, I cannot feel too deeply connected with any of the guys. The story is good, the writing is good, and I think it's worth reading. However, I miss that emotional attachment to the characters, and that's why I can only give it 3 stars.
February 14, 2017
2.3 Stars
So, this book was chugging along on it's merry way to a better than 4 star rating - until it went completely off the fucking rails on a level that I just can't even...ARGH!
Seriously, what the actual fuck was that last half of the book? I'm not going to waste my time typing out why I'm frustrated; see this review and this review for basically everything I want to say. Why the hell didn't I read the fucking reviews before I chose this?
Because Spellapalooza is clouding my judgment. (Did you see what I did there?) Well, that and I've seldom gone and done a DNF...I refuse to allow a shitty book to break me.
I'm 0-2 with this author and I'm going to wait a long, long, looooooooonnnnnnng while before I attempt that last story before I rule her a strike out.
So, this book was chugging along on it's merry way to a better than 4 star rating - until it went completely off the fucking rails on a level that I just can't even...ARGH!
Seriously, what the actual fuck was that last half of the book? I'm not going to waste my time typing out why I'm frustrated; see this review and this review for basically everything I want to say. Why the hell didn't I read the fucking reviews before I chose this?
Because Spellapalooza is clouding my judgment. (Did you see what I did there?) Well, that and I've seldom gone and done a DNF...I refuse to allow a shitty book to break me.
I'm 0-2 with this author and I'm going to wait a long, long, looooooooonnnnnnng while before I attempt that last story before I rule her a strike out.
Read
July 2, 2019It began to get weird and not at all believable.
DNF around 55%
DNF around 55%
June 27, 2013
1.5 stars rounded down to 1.0
Flynn Tomlinson is a drifter who works odd jobs when he needs the money. It’s easy-come-easy-go and Flynn is happy with his transient life until he meets Gable Sutton. Gable owns a ranch that is falling into disrepair. His ex-BF left him after Gable suffered a serious riding accident and he is unable to handle the ranch alone. Flynn is captivated by the sad and lonely man and decides to set down roots if he can convince Gable they’re worth the risk of opening his heart again.
Um, I had a problem with this book, namely Calley (Gable’s so-called BFF). What kind of BFF W.T.F.!?!? That is one f*cked up story line IMHO. It pissed me off to no end. I’m not interested in fawning over Calley and her new baby so I’m not reading any more books in the series.
Bottom-line: Infuriating; an excellent story that was ruined by a backstabbing bitch of a BFF and a cheating ex-BF.
Flynn Tomlinson is a drifter who works odd jobs when he needs the money. It’s easy-come-easy-go and Flynn is happy with his transient life until he meets Gable Sutton. Gable owns a ranch that is falling into disrepair. His ex-BF left him after Gable suffered a serious riding accident and he is unable to handle the ranch alone. Flynn is captivated by the sad and lonely man and decides to set down roots if he can convince Gable they’re worth the risk of opening his heart again.
Um, I had a problem with this book, namely Calley (Gable’s so-called BFF). What kind of BFF W.T.F.!?!? That is one f*cked up story line IMHO. It pissed me off to no end. I’m not interested in fawning over Calley and her new baby so I’m not reading any more books in the series.
Bottom-line: Infuriating; an excellent story that was ruined by a backstabbing bitch of a BFF and a cheating ex-BF.
January 26, 2013
Cowboys, country and western singing stars? Doesn't really sound like my sort of thing....glad that I decided to give it a go. Loved this book. Its a real tear-jerker, a great romance, sad, happy, very emotional. I love a happy ending.
January 1, 2015
★★★★☆
New-to-me author and I'll be reading more. Thanks Dreamspinner for turning me on to this author and for my friends make sure I knew about this freebie.
Flynn's been drifting for a few years and comes across a post in the local post office for six weeks of work. Gable's a grumpy guy who's eking out a living on his ranch especially since he seems to have an injured foot. There's an instant attraction that neither act on although Flynn wants more especially after he sees Gabe masturbating in the outdoor shower and he follows.
Gabe has been hurt in the past and doesn't trust easily and slowly lets Flynn in in spite of his trying to run him off regularly. Flynn's has found a home with Gabe and works on breaking through Gabe's walls. When Gabe's turns to the worst, Flynn is right there.
Great writing - not insta-love and this is a slow-building (not too slow, though) relationship that changes them both. Interesting that Gabe is more alpha however, he Haven't read that often and proves they can compromise and fulfill each other's needs.
New-to-me author and I'll be reading more. Thanks Dreamspinner for turning me on to this author and for my friends make sure I knew about this freebie.
Flynn's been drifting for a few years and comes across a post in the local post office for six weeks of work. Gable's a grumpy guy who's eking out a living on his ranch especially since he seems to have an injured foot. There's an instant attraction that neither act on although Flynn wants more especially after he sees Gabe masturbating in the outdoor shower and he follows.
Gabe has been hurt in the past and doesn't trust easily and slowly lets Flynn in in spite of his trying to run him off regularly. Flynn's has found a home with Gabe and works on breaking through Gabe's walls. When Gabe's turns to the worst, Flynn is right there.
Great writing - not insta-love and this is a slow-building (not too slow, though) relationship that changes them both. Interesting that Gabe is more alpha however, he Haven't read that often and proves they can compromise and fulfill each other's needs.
January 27, 2012
The best friend was such an awful character. Gable and Flynn were awful people for letting her get away with what she did. I cannot believe how angry this book made me feel. No words can describe how horrible this book was. I was astounded. I honestly don't get what the author was thinking. I am so appalled. Scarred. I even went far as complementing whether there was any hope left in the world.
--shakes head--
I couldn't even finish it. I deleted it. Awful.
--shakes head--
I couldn't even finish it. I deleted it. Awful.
May 21, 2012
When reading this, I had a feeling that at one point the author felt bored writing about the main couple in this book, Gable and Flynn, and was more excited writing about the secondary couple, Grant and Hunter. When I saw that both sequels are about the second couple or happening in their ranch, I think I might have been correct.
June 23, 2011
I liked this one. It was well told and the characters very likable. The story line kept a good pace and had enough intrigue to keep me wanting to read. The first Kiss scene for me was totally swoon worthy. Plus the sex scenes were a part of the story and well written, not over the top just added for the writers pleasure kinda thing.Would of been 4 stars if not for the female storyline.
June 10, 2024
2.5 Stars I'm rounding up as I am curious enough to potentially read the next book in the series. The strength of this book comes in the characters. I liked Flynn and Gable as a couple. As strangely the age gap didn't bother me much in this one. I felt for Gable's circumstances. The trouble comes not even in the elements of the story, but how disjointed they all feel from one another. I found myself feeling like moments were missed and we'd jumped steps in the relationship in the time gaps. On top of that character reactions would swing such extremes from one minute to the next they didn't feel natural all the time. Sure Gable's reactions are understandable with all he's been through, but his pendulum mood swings never seemed to be consistent and would come seemingly out of nowhere and then dissipate just as fast.
This story did get me curious about the other characters so I might check out the second book as I do want to know more about Hunter and Grant. It won't be the next book I grab but I'll add it to the TBR and give the series at least one more chance.
This story did get me curious about the other characters so I might check out the second book as I do want to know more about Hunter and Grant. It won't be the next book I grab but I'll add it to the TBR and give the series at least one more chance.
February 26, 2011
This book kind of surprised me...I liked it, but I didn't. All the right stuff is here: likeable lead characters, a gradual progression of the main relationship, a bit of trial & tribulation, an interesting cast of characters, even a cute lil dog. But somehow, it often felt disjointed. Like an idea popped into the writer's head and got added to the mix. It surprises me because I usually enjoy this author's books. Maybe it was just me, like when you really want an apple but all you've got is an orange, you're still not satisfied after eating the orange. An overall ok read but left me wondering what I had missed.
March 7, 2011
Zahra is on my must-read list because she's not afraid to write damaged characters. Boy, has she outdone herself this time! You name the issue, Gable pretty much has it, from trust issues because of being abandoned by a previous lover to actual physical issues with a bum leg. Flynn is exactly the kind of man Gable's afraid to trust because he's "another drifter," but Flynn is different, and watching Gable struggle to come to terms with that and his disability gives this story such power.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Shelved as 'i-dont-think-so'
March 9, 2012Bc N said so
April 11, 2021
Primo libro che leggo di questa autrice e devo dire che la storia di Gable e Flynn mi ha coinvolta molto. Alla fine sembrava la solita storia alla Brokeback Mountain, ma la Owens ci ha infilato un ex incommentabile che fa fatica ad accettare la sua sessualità e quindi si diverte in giro, con uomini e donne. Lo scoop su Callie è stato una bomba!
Mi sono ritrovata a soffrire per il povero Gabe lasciato ben 3 giorni a rantolare per terra in attesa di aiuto, visto che Grant aveva deciso di levare le tende.
Ho fatto il tifo per Flynn, che dopo il vagabondare di città in città, avesse finalmente trovato il suo porto sicuro.
Pensavo poi che una volta portato all'ospedale si potesse far qualcosa per il piede di Gabe e invece?
ZAC!
Per fortuna la fase depressiva non dura troppo.
Non mi è piaciuta molto la redenzione di Grant, si poteva trovare un altro uomo per Hunter e avrei voluto dare una botta in testa a Bill: tua moglie sta partorendo e tu devi andare da una mucca?
Speriamo si levi di torno in fretta.
Proseguirò sicuramente nella lettura della serie.
Mi sono ritrovata a soffrire per il povero Gabe lasciato ben 3 giorni a rantolare per terra in attesa di aiuto, visto che Grant aveva deciso di levare le tende.
Ho fatto il tifo per Flynn, che dopo il vagabondare di città in città, avesse finalmente trovato il suo porto sicuro.
Pensavo poi che una volta portato all'ospedale si potesse far qualcosa per il piede di Gabe e invece?
ZAC!
Per fortuna la fase depressiva non dura troppo.
Non mi è piaciuta molto la redenzione di Grant, si poteva trovare un altro uomo per Hunter e avrei voluto dare una botta in testa a Bill: tua moglie sta partorendo e tu devi andare da una mucca?
Speriamo si levi di torno in fretta.
Proseguirò sicuramente nella lettura della serie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2014
I am torn. I really liked the story between Flynn and Gable, but there were things I could NOT get on board with.
I loved how stand-offish Gable was in the beginning and how persistent Flynn was. I also liked how observant Flynn was. He saw things people probably didn't notice. For some reason, I love the whole "ranch life", but there's no way I could do it. I am a lazy bitch and I am not afraid to admit it. So I liked the mundane things they did, like feed/groom/train the horses, check the fences, etc. For me, seeing the everyday things makes things more real. When I read I like some realism and the everyday things are good for me. I don't need constant excitement in my reading.
Somewhere though it took a wrong turn and I think it's when Calley asked something she shouldn't have. I think it's when Gable and Flynn accepted when they shouldn't have. It was also hard to read about Gable getting close with Grant again :( This took up a major part of the 2nd half which I was pretty bummed about. With best friends like Calley, who needs enemies?
There were still some things I want to know about though that Gable was quiet about.
Overall, I would have rated this one higher if not for Calley. Sorry, but I couldn't stand her.
I loved how stand-offish Gable was in the beginning and how persistent Flynn was. I also liked how observant Flynn was. He saw things people probably didn't notice. For some reason, I love the whole "ranch life", but there's no way I could do it. I am a lazy bitch and I am not afraid to admit it. So I liked the mundane things they did, like feed/groom/train the horses, check the fences, etc. For me, seeing the everyday things makes things more real. When I read I like some realism and the everyday things are good for me. I don't need constant excitement in my reading.
Somewhere though it took a wrong turn and I think it's when Calley asked something she shouldn't have. I think it's when Gable and Flynn accepted when they shouldn't have. It was also hard to read about Gable getting close with Grant again :( This took up a major part of the 2nd half which I was pretty bummed about. With best friends like Calley, who needs enemies?
There were still some things I want to know about though that Gable was quiet about.
Overall, I would have rated this one higher if not for Calley. Sorry, but I couldn't stand her.
February 23, 2011
I'd give this 3 1/2 stars. Enjoyable read, but the secondary pairing near the end of the book threw me off.
August 5, 2011
This was a nice story about an older rancher falling for the young ranch-hand he hires. I found both protags likable and their slowly developing May/December romance worked well for me. What I didn't like was the addition of the supposed best friend and the cheating ex-lover. I know I would have enjoyed Gable and Flynn's story much more without those two in it. I also really like this Anne Cain cover.
June 10, 2012
This was a very good story and I didn't even mind that it was mostly yaoi style.
The romance was slow and sweet and the drama was necessary for the relationship to grow and not a plot device to finish the story. This book is more of a romance novel than an erotica that a lot of mm novels are...don't get me wrong I like pwp as much as the next fan girl but this story was very refreshing for not following the template; meet, fuck, fight then fall in love.
I really liked that.
The romance was slow and sweet and the drama was necessary for the relationship to grow and not a plot device to finish the story. This book is more of a romance novel than an erotica that a lot of mm novels are...don't get me wrong I like pwp as much as the next fan girl but this story was very refreshing for not following the template; meet, fuck, fight then fall in love.
I really liked that.
July 17, 2013
2.5 stars - Overall, this story wasn't bad. It just wasn't really my cup of tea. It was rather slowly paced, and a little too sweet in places even for my tastes. The writing was good, I don't have any issues with that, it was just that I felt like it dragged a little and, in places, I found myself skimming through several pages at a time.
Shelved as 'hahaha-no-no-no'
March 29, 2013TRISHA'S REVIEW
thank you for saving my nerves :)
thank you for saving my nerves :)
February 5, 2017
Read a few years ago. I think I remember liking it. I'll have to reread sometime.
September 23, 2020
I'm not sure if this low rating is because the audio was horrible or because the second half of the book was just not for me. The narrator paused in between every sentence and even speeding it up didn't help. I liked the voices but the pauses drove me absolutely nuts. I probably should have just stopped the audio version and switched over to the kindle version. I actually liked the story in the first half of the book although I admit I thought Flynn put up with an awful lot from Gable. But he's a cowboy and not the most communicative guy around so it was pretty believable. Until the second half. I'm not sure what was up with Callie but I really didn't like her. If that's Gable's best friend he needs new friends. I really disliked the whole part of bringing Grant back into the book and although I think the author tried to redeem him it didn't really work for me. If she wanted to do that she probably shouldn't have made him out to be so awful in the first half. The forgiveness I could buy but not becoming friends with him and his new guy.
April 25, 2020
2.5 stars
Gable is taking care of his horses alone in the ranch with an injured leg, when drifter Flynn comes there in search of a job. Flynn has experience as a ranch hand and is good with horses. He is also gay and attracted to the boss. Gable is a gruff, morose type of a person, but slowly reveals the story behind his injury and his cheating BF. The attraction is mutual between them and soon they fall in love, especially Flynn. But things come to a head when Gable's leg becomes irreparable and a surgery is recommended.
Its an okay one time read for me. I felt like Flynn was more invested in the relationship rather than Gable who was often very rude and inconsiderate with Flynn. The focus towards kids was a surprise as I didnt feel both men to be fatherly type, but the author took it there.I finished this book as its included in a challenge, otherwise it would have been a DNF.
Gable is taking care of his horses alone in the ranch with an injured leg, when drifter Flynn comes there in search of a job. Flynn has experience as a ranch hand and is good with horses. He is also gay and attracted to the boss. Gable is a gruff, morose type of a person, but slowly reveals the story behind his injury and his cheating BF. The attraction is mutual between them and soon they fall in love, especially Flynn. But things come to a head when Gable's leg becomes irreparable and a surgery is recommended.
Its an okay one time read for me. I felt like Flynn was more invested in the relationship rather than Gable who was often very rude and inconsiderate with Flynn. The focus towards kids was a surprise as I didnt feel both men to be fatherly type, but the author took it there.I finished this book as its included in a challenge, otherwise it would have been a DNF.
February 13, 2013
After reading a TON of crappy ebooks, it was really nice to find a sweet and caring story with a LOT of intimacy between the MCs... especially when one is a stubborn, silent cowboy and the other is a guy who actually gives him space! Remarkable! (And it still has a lot of hot stuff, tee hee.)
There are a lot of things about this story that follow familiar formulas, but they're dealt with in quietly unexpected ways. This was a real pleasure to read.
Gable Sutton is an older (not really specified, but probably later 40s?) cowboy, very solitary, with an injured foot that won't heal (he refuses to go back to the doctor -- oh, MEN!). Flynn Tomlinson is younger, answering Gable's ad for a ranch hand. They (duh) fall in love, and then Gable ends up needing his foot amputated because of another accident. That's barely even the first half of the book.
It's very Brokeback Mountain without the sad parts :) Gable is VERY strong, silent, stubborn, can't bring himself to express how he feels or ask for help, especially because he was really burned by his last lover. Yada yada yada, you know the drill... but the author makes it feel very natural to the character.
The really lovely thing is Flynn's patience (and, naturally, frustration at times) as he helps Gable learn to trust himself and the relationship. Of COURSE Gable has a difficult time getting used to all sorts of things with Flynn around, before and after the amputation. But even though they have some genuinely difficult moments, Flynn sticks with him and keeps a really careful balance. They also don't get into that cliched "I'm going to do everything in my power to get you out of that bed!" thing that "recovery" stories often have.
I should mention, too, that two other issues come into play: impotence and infertility. They don't distract too much from the plot, but there are a couple twists to how they deal with them. It deepened the relationship between the MCs.
Even better: the plot doesn't get derailed by any deus ex machina betrayals, sneering drunk neighbors who want to avenge their pa, or incredibly stupid misunderstandings. The author keeps the action focused on the main characters, but the secondary characters fit well into the plot and complicate things without seeming forced.
It was SO refreshing. If you're looking for something sweeping and anguished, this isn't your book. All of the conflict is very intimate and tender, although it's deeply felt.
But it's still got a ton of hot moments I'm not particularly into M/M stuff, but I sure did like this one.
There are a lot of things about this story that follow familiar formulas, but they're dealt with in quietly unexpected ways. This was a real pleasure to read.
Gable Sutton is an older (not really specified, but probably later 40s?) cowboy, very solitary, with an injured foot that won't heal (he refuses to go back to the doctor -- oh, MEN!). Flynn Tomlinson is younger, answering Gable's ad for a ranch hand. They (duh) fall in love, and then Gable ends up needing his foot amputated because of another accident. That's barely even the first half of the book.
It's very Brokeback Mountain without the sad parts :) Gable is VERY strong, silent, stubborn, can't bring himself to express how he feels or ask for help, especially because he was really burned by his last lover. Yada yada yada, you know the drill... but the author makes it feel very natural to the character.
The really lovely thing is Flynn's patience (and, naturally, frustration at times) as he helps Gable learn to trust himself and the relationship. Of COURSE Gable has a difficult time getting used to all sorts of things with Flynn around, before and after the amputation. But even though they have some genuinely difficult moments, Flynn sticks with him and keeps a really careful balance. They also don't get into that cliched "I'm going to do everything in my power to get you out of that bed!" thing that "recovery" stories often have.
I should mention, too, that two other issues come into play: impotence and infertility. They don't distract too much from the plot, but there are a couple twists to how they deal with them. It deepened the relationship between the MCs.
Even better: the plot doesn't get derailed by any deus ex machina betrayals, sneering drunk neighbors who want to avenge their pa, or incredibly stupid misunderstandings. The author keeps the action focused on the main characters, but the secondary characters fit well into the plot and complicate things without seeming forced.
It was SO refreshing. If you're looking for something sweeping and anguished, this isn't your book. All of the conflict is very intimate and tender, although it's deeply felt.
But it's still got a ton of hot moments I'm not particularly into M/M stuff, but I sure did like this one.
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