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ezraaa's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
echoesoutloud's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
His Fresh Start Cowboy is a really sweet and emotional romance!
Hugo Turner left his hometown in Daisy, Texas when he was eighteen and he's never looked back. Nine years later, he's happily working at a ranch in California, but he's restless. So, on a whim he applies for a job back home and two weeks later he's back in Texas working for his former crush, Brand Woods.
Brand Woods has been hiding a part of himself for years. After a scorching kiss with his brother's best friend, he finally accepts who he is but still hides it from everyone around him. When Hugo finds his way back home, Brand isn't sure what to do. All the feelings he's hidden for the man return with a vengeance, but he's not willing to risk his family or their ranch and take a chance on the one man he's always cared about.
This book was more emotional than I expected it to be. Going in, I was expecting a brother's best friend romance, with a heavy emphasis on the romance. And while this was just that, it also had a lot more going for it. Hugo's relationship with his family is tense and strenuous, and his trauma kept him away from his home state for almost a decade. Getting to see him working through that was intense but a major part of his journey.
Similarly, Brand's fears and worries about how being who he is might affect his family's livelihood, controls him. He's afraid to take a chance on the things he wants, and Hugo's return only emphasizes all of that. Both by themselves and together, they have to work through their personal struggles before they're able to fight for each other and what they could be.
It was a lot of back and forth, where they had to figure out what it is that they truly wanted, not just with each other, but in life. What I really loved about them was that even when they were drowning in their own problems, when they saw the other person struggling, they dropped everything to be there for them. That really strengthened their relationship for me and showed how much they cared.
This book had a lot of hurt/comfort themes, which definitely made things better. It also sets things up for future stories. It was a great intro to a new world and I'm looking forward to what comes next in the Woods Ranch and its town of Weston, Texas.
I definitely enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it if you're looking for an M/M cowboy romance that is as sweet as it is serious and has some major feels involved!
* I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. *
His Fresh Start Cowboy is a really sweet and emotional romance!
Hugo Turner left his hometown in Daisy, Texas when he was eighteen and he's never looked back. Nine years later, he's happily working at a ranch in California, but he's restless. So, on a whim he applies for a job back home and two weeks later he's back in Texas working for his former crush, Brand Woods.
Brand Woods has been hiding a part of himself for years. After a scorching kiss with his brother's best friend, he finally accepts who he is but still hides it from everyone around him. When Hugo finds his way back home, Brand isn't sure what to do. All the feelings he's hidden for the man return with a vengeance, but he's not willing to risk his family or their ranch and take a chance on the one man he's always cared about.
This book was more emotional than I expected it to be. Going in, I was expecting a brother's best friend romance, with a heavy emphasis on the romance. And while this was just that, it also had a lot more going for it. Hugo's relationship with his family is tense and strenuous, and his trauma kept him away from his home state for almost a decade. Getting to see him working through that was intense but a major part of his journey.
Similarly, Brand's fears and worries about how being who he is might affect his family's livelihood, controls him. He's afraid to take a chance on the things he wants, and Hugo's return only emphasizes all of that. Both by themselves and together, they have to work through their personal struggles before they're able to fight for each other and what they could be.
It was a lot of back and forth, where they had to figure out what it is that they truly wanted, not just with each other, but in life. What I really loved about them was that even when they were drowning in their own problems, when they saw the other person struggling, they dropped everything to be there for them. That really strengthened their relationship for me and showed how much they cared.
This book had a lot of hurt/comfort themes, which definitely made things better. It also sets things up for future stories. It was a great intro to a new world and I'm looking forward to what comes next in the Woods Ranch and its town of Weston, Texas.
I definitely enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it if you're looking for an M/M cowboy romance that is as sweet as it is serious and has some major feels involved!
* I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. *
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
4.0
His Fresh Start Cowboy is the first in a new series by AM Arthur. That said, this one is kind of a spin-off from her Clean Slate Ranch series, so there is some crossover in the beginning. Once Hugo gets to Woods Ranch, this series is off and running with a second chance for Hugo and Brand. The romance is a slow burn, and the storyline is intense and emotional, especially on Hugo's part. His backstory as well as some things that happen in the present absolutely broke my heart. Brand's insecurity about coming out as bisexual is the source of relationship angst for this pair, but the chemistry is there in spades, and both these guys are so darn lovable.
The book is well-written, the characters are likable, and the story is a mix of emotional, sexy, and sweet. We've been having a cold spell around here, which is perfect for curling up with a good book. What better way to do that than with a hot cowboy romance?
The book is well-written, the characters are likable, and the story is a mix of emotional, sexy, and sweet. We've been having a cold spell around here, which is perfect for curling up with a good book. What better way to do that than with a hot cowboy romance?
businesscasualcowboy's review against another edition
2.5
Overall, the writing and structure of this book was poorly done. The pacing was very slow until suddenly wrapped up with paragraphs of summary. There was also A LOT of repetition of backstory, as if I needed to be reminded of the same characters and events every other chapter. And while there (weirdly) are some cis women who can write good m/m sex scenes (shout out to KJ Charles), this author is not one of them. The details were either off-putting or lacking + the action was frequently interrupted by the characters exchanging a bunch of off-topic dialogue…. Someone also needs to tell AM Arthur — it is so not hot to describe a sexual encounter as “burning” (not once, but twice!!). Hugo should talk to his doctor. Oh, and PLEASE retire the trope of — most-abusive character may actually be closeted.
All criticism aside, though, I did have a dumb smile on my face most of the time while reading this. I’m a sucker.
All criticism aside, though, I did have a dumb smile on my face most of the time while reading this. I’m a sucker.
a_stylish_bookworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was a great m/m cowboy romance. I always appreciate a second chance and I love how when Brand and Hugo was younger, they had a connection. Both Brand and Hugo had personal issues that needed to be dealt with and I love seeing them support each other. Their love story was great.
mildmay's review against another edition
3.0
i'd forgotten i'd already read something else by this author that i did not like so i'm glad i inadvertently tried again because i liked this one a lot more! really loved the beginning but found parts of the story going around in circles after a while, and was frustrated that the ending felt so rushed after a lot of disappointing actions between the two. quick & easy read tho, i love cowboy shit
galleytrot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
cadiva's review against another edition
4.0
3.5*
With the first spin-off from the Clean Slate series, A.M. gives us a slightly different perspective on the best friend's brother trope.
It's coupled with a bit of found family, some dealing with your past elements, and a not quite second chance romance.
There's a small (eight years) between Hugo and Brand and I have to say, at times I'm not sure they really read like 27 and a 35 year old men, more like young adult at times.
Some of that is down to the story choices of having Brand be struggling with his bisexuality and still living at home on his parent's ranch.
Hugo is a bit more world weary and they're both utterly rubbish at communicating, thankfully it doesn't become a major plot point.
They flit and flop through a "will they, won't they" and there's a fair amount of UST before the inevitable happens.
I liked that there were strong secondary characters and a good sense of the setting, as well as a plot arc which provided other external tensions outside of just the relationship.
Overall I think it's a solid opener which sets up a few other potential options for future books.
#ARC kindly received from the publishers Carina Press via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.
With the first spin-off from the Clean Slate series, A.M. gives us a slightly different perspective on the best friend's brother trope.
It's coupled with a bit of found family, some dealing with your past elements, and a not quite second chance romance.
There's a small (eight years) between Hugo and Brand and I have to say, at times I'm not sure they really read like 27 and a 35 year old men, more like young adult at times.
Some of that is down to the story choices of having Brand be struggling with his bisexuality and still living at home on his parent's ranch.
Hugo is a bit more world weary and they're both utterly rubbish at communicating, thankfully it doesn't become a major plot point.
They flit and flop through a "will they, won't they" and there's a fair amount of UST before the inevitable happens.
I liked that there were strong secondary characters and a good sense of the setting, as well as a plot arc which provided other external tensions outside of just the relationship.
Overall I think it's a solid opener which sets up a few other potential options for future books.
#ARC kindly received from the publishers Carina Press via NetGalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.
rayisahuman's review against another edition
Narrator just didnt do it for me, unfortunately