Title: Riding Tall
Series: The Fall book #2
Author: Kate Sherwood
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Length: Novel (200 pages)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (February 3rd 2014)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts
Reviewer: Tams
Blurb: Joe Sutton and Scott Mackenzie have ridden off into the sunset, but they wake to the cruel light of reality. Joe loves his family, even with the addition of three neighbors orphaned by a house fire. He loves the land that has supported them for generations. While there’s plenty of room left in his heart for Mackenzie, Joe must make room for him in his life.
Tired of taking and determined not to depend on another sugar daddy, Mackenzie returns to modelling in the city, but the wild clubs he once loved aren’t home anymore. Yet things aren’t right back at the ranch either. Joe is no longer the man he knew. Before the love of his life reaches his breaking point, Mackenzie must convince Joe he’s not lazy if he takes a break and not weak if he needs a little help. Finding the balance between give and take might leave them time for happily ever after.
Purchase Link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=4645
Review: How do you build a life with a man when one of his traits that made you fall in love with him, is something you are starting to resent. Do you do some soul-searching to see where the true problem lies? Or give up and walk away from the love of your life, because you are feeling neglected?
Joe is fiercely dedicated to his family that has grown by three since the fire we read about in The Fall, book 1. He is always putting everything and everyone else before himself, and he is determined to turn lemons into lemonade. But the time Mack spends away for his job, and the time he has to devote to the children he’s raising are causing a strain on the relationship.
Mack has returned to his modelling job in the city but it doesn’t hold the same appeal that it used to. He misses Joe and the family he is building back on the Ranch, but he refuses to let Joe take care of him. Ultimately, he will have to decide if the time apart and his pride are worth risking the best thing that’s ever happened to him.
This book is all about balance. Joe and Mack have to find a balance that they can both live with in order to have their happily ever after. Joe wants to do everything himself and refuses to ask for a let anyone help. Mack also refuses to let Joe help him financially. What they need to realize is that their relationship depends on them allowing each other to help each other. Once Mack decides he’s not giving up without a fight and digs his heels in, Joe is in trouble.
These characters have grown tremendously since this series started. Lots of obstacles in their way, personal growth and coming into their own as individuals and a couple. Their love story is sort of a raw passion almost like virginal teenagers. It’s been fun watching them grow. My only complaint was that it took them almost until the end of the book to really talk to each other. Communication is key, and I really don’t like angst in grown ass adult men that should know better.
If you like, stubborn, sexy, brooding cowboys that fight fires in their spare time you will love these books. And yes, the books should be read in order, this book is not a stand-alone, it is a sequel.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through MM Good Book Reviews **
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