Title: Crooked Tree Ranch Series: Montana #1 Author: R.J. Scott Genre: M/M Romance Release Date: November 16, 2015
On the spur of the moment, with his life collapsing around him, Jay Sullivan answers an ad for a business manager with an expertise in marketing, on a dude ranch in Montana. With his sister, Ashley, niece, Kirsten and nephew, Josh, in tow, he moves lock stock and barrel from New York to Montana to start a new life on Crooked Tree Ranch.
Foreman and part owner of the ranch, ex rodeo star Nathaniel 'Nate' Todd has been running the dude ranch, for five years ever since his mentor Marcus Allen became ill. His brothers convince him that he needs to get an expert in to help the business grow. He knows things have to change and but when the new guy turns up, with a troubled family in tow - he just isn't prepared for how much.
"... This is a beautiful love story between two men, each with secrets they are afraid to reveal. ..."
“This series is a winner because of it's cowboy theme - who can resist a gorgeous cowboy!” - Because Two Men Are Better Than One
“I always enjoy cowboy stories and, as you would expect from RJ, this one is smoothly well-written and pulls you forward chapter by chapter.” - Goodreads Reviewer
“This story pushed every button that makes me fall in love with a book.” - Goodreads Reviewer
“ This wonderful story reminded me of exactly why I fell in love with RJ Scott's storytelling.” - Goodreads Reviewer
At one point, when he was trying not to stare at the dancing, he spotted Liam across the room and they exchanged heated looks. Nate recalled the young guy bending over for him the last time he was here. Maybe he could get some more of that tonight. Maybe fucking Liam into the mattress would stop the irritating thought that he wanted to fuck Jay instead. Or that he wanted Jay to do the same thing to him.
Jeez.
Jay made it through three tracks of music, and when he made no sign of moving from his place alongside two men, Nate had to make a move. He sucked it up and joined the fray.
Nate was immediately swallowed into the crowd and instinctively began moving to the beat of the song as he walked closer. When he finally made it to Jay’s side, he patted him on the shoulder. Jay spun on his heel and Nate held out a hand to steady him.
“Cowboy!” Jay shouted over the music.
In a sinuous movement, Jay gripped one of Nate’s shoulders and shuffled closer so that very little separated them. The two men dancing with Jay drifted off to face other dancers, and suddenly it seemed like it was just Nate and Jay swaying to the music.
“You need to be careful!” Nate shouted close to his ear.
“Why?” Jay shouted back.
His breath smelled of beer and his body scent was a mix of the infuriating aftershave mingled with sweat and dust. Suddenly Jay became a four-course meal and Nate was very hungry.
“Keep your eyes open,” Nate warned.
As if to make that comment mean nothing, Jay deliberately closed his eyes and moved to the beat of the music. Somewhere along the line, Jay had lost his bottle of beer, or finished it, or whatever. He had both hands free, and he used them to steady himself by gripping hard to Nate’s shoulders. He had closed his eyes and was mouthing the words along with the song. Was he aware it was Nate holding him? He’d said “cowboy,” they’d spoken, but there were a lot of cowboys mixed in with the bikers and the other varied clientele.
“Open your eyes, Jay,” Nate shouted over the music.
Jay did as Nate had asked, and Nate was suddenly seeing brown eyes glazed with emotion. Then Jay smiled and closed his eyes again.
Instinctively Nate steadied Jay and that meant his hands rested on Jay’s hips. The feel of the man beneath his touch was intoxicating and Nate held hard. Jay fit into his arms perfectly: a little shorter, a little slimmer, just the right height, and his lips, damp with sweat or beer—Nate didn’t know—were what he zeroed in on. Jay swayed with the music. The move took them closer and fuck, Jay was hard. Nate gave in to the temptation and pressed them closer still until he was sure Jay could feel how hard he was as well.
All thoughts of impropriety or fears of rejection flew out the window. Nate was lost in the smile of pleasure that curved Jay’s damp lips. What would he taste like? Would Jay return the kiss? Would Jay push him away? How could he risk this? He eased his hold on Jay’s hips and slouched a little so that their groins aligned—suddenly they were frotting firmly and rhythmically to some Eminem mix. There was no way he could stop himself.
“Can I kiss you?” Nate said into Jay’s ear.
Jay smiled at him, but it wasn’t clear that he’d heard what Nate said. Hell, he should kiss Jay and stop all this delay in taking what he really wanted. Someone jostled him from behind and the movement threw him off his spiral of the pros and cons of denial. When the person who jostled them attempted to insinuate themselves between Nate and Jay, abruptly everything was clear.
“Fuck off,” Nate shouted clearly to the interloper, and in a quick move, he got his first taste of the sexy city boy. The press of his lips against Jay’s was intoxicating, and they kissed and swayed to the beat of the music. Their hard cocks pressed together and—finally—the kiss deepened. Jay let him in and Nate took every advantage. Fuck the fact Jay worked for the ranch, fuck that they had absolutely zero in common, forget that Jay had a degree and a life that would take him far away from Nate’s world sometime soon.
*** Copy provided to the reviewer via Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
Nate discovers the ranch he co-owns with his brothers is not as solvent as he'd liked and he needs to hire someone with marketing experience to help them promote their ranch, or risk losing it. They are unable to find someone local, but a city guy answers their ad and that would change their lives in more ways than one.
Jay loses his job at a marketing firm in NYC and even if he tries his best, he's unable to find another job, so he decides to answer an ad looking for a manager at a ranch in Montana, which has the added bonus that he'd be able to move his family (sister and her two kids) with him.
Nate and Jay have a somewhat rocky start, but soon they become friends and sparks fly between them as the attraction grows. They are quite sweet together and they give their relationship their all, nevermind that the sex is very hot.
I liked Jay's family, his sister Ashley and her kids, and I loved how they integrated to life at the ranch so easily and got along with Nate's brothers, Gabe and Luke.
My only complaints are that there are a few loose ends at the end of the story, which I hope will be addressed in later books and that I would've liked to see more of Nate and Jay as a couple. Other than that, this is a well-written, enjoyable book, and I hope we get to read more of Nate and Jay and the rest of the supporting cast in book 2!
Very recommendable!
Rating: 4 Stars!
3.5 Stars
*copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest reciew*
Nate and his brothers are in danger of losing the family dude ranch in Montana. They need help. They need someone to come in and help with the marketing and advertising. Someone to find a way to draw guests back to the ranch.
After a massive company layoff Jay, who works in marketing is now out of a job in New York City. With his sister, niece and nephew to support Jay can't afford to be out of work. With most of his former co-workers also looking for work, there isn't a job to be found. Jay answers an ad for a marketing position at the ranch. The detail that seals the deal for him is he can bring his family with him.
I liked the premises of the story, but it took me until the last 20% of the book to really connect with the characters and care about what was going to happen. I felt the book focused too much on the secondary characters, and not enough time was given to the main characters. I like when the secondary characters are important and involved in the book, but I found their storylines took over the book at times, yet as much attention as the author gave them, they were left open and unresolved. For example, the author brings up a story of Adam and Justin, two young teenagers that went missing. Nate tells the story to Jay, and it felt like the story was told to have meaning and a resolution, but it wasn't really mentioned further, and I'm left wanting to know what the resolution to the story was.
This story was too slow and too fast. Too slow as in the other storylines took up too much time and once we finally get to the main characters their story moved much too fast. For me, the pace was off in this book.
All in all it wasn't a horrible read, but I'm left not sure if I'm interested or care enough to continue on to book two.
*copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest reciew*
Nate and his brothers are in danger of losing the family dude ranch in Montana. They need help. They need someone to come in and help with the marketing and advertising. Someone to find a way to draw guests back to the ranch.
After a massive company layoff Jay, who works in marketing is now out of a job in New York City. With his sister, niece and nephew to support Jay can't afford to be out of work. With most of his former co-workers also looking for work, there isn't a job to be found. Jay answers an ad for a marketing position at the ranch. The detail that seals the deal for him is he can bring his family with him.
I liked the premises of the story, but it took me until the last 20% of the book to really connect with the characters and care about what was going to happen. I felt the book focused too much on the secondary characters, and not enough time was given to the main characters. I like when the secondary characters are important and involved in the book, but I found their storylines took over the book at times, yet as much attention as the author gave them, they were left open and unresolved. For example, the author brings up a story of Adam and Justin, two young teenagers that went missing. Nate tells the story to Jay, and it felt like the story was told to have meaning and a resolution, but it wasn't really mentioned further, and I'm left wanting to know what the resolution to the story was.
This story was too slow and too fast. Too slow as in the other storylines took up too much time and once we finally get to the main characters their story moved much too fast. For me, the pace was off in this book.
All in all it wasn't a horrible read, but I'm left not sure if I'm interested or care enough to continue on to book two.
RJ Scott has been writing since age six when she was made to stay in at lunchtime for an infraction involving cookies and was told to write a story. Two sides of A4 about a trapped princess later, a lover of writing was born. She reads anything from thrillers to sci-fi to horror; however, her first real love will always be the world of romance. From billionaires, bodyguards and cowboys to SEALs, throwaways and veterinarians, she writes passionate stories with a heart of romance, a troubled road to reach happiness, and more than a hint of happily ever after.
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