Release Day Review: When the Dust Settles (Timing: Book Three) by Mary Calmes

Release Day Review: When the Dust Settles (Timing: Book Three) by Mary Calmes

Title: When the Dust Settles
Series: Timing: Book Three
Author: Mary Calmes
Release Date: November 16, 2016
Category: Western
Pages: 107

Dreamspinner Press ~ Goodreads

Glenn Holloway’s predictable life ended the day he confessed his homosexuality to his family. As if that wasn’t enough, he then poured salt in the wound by walking away from the ranch he’d grown up on, to open the restaurant he’d always dreamed of. Without support from his father and brother, and too proud to accept assistance from anyone else, he had to start from scratch. Over time things worked out: Glenn successfully built a strong business, created a new home, and forged a life he could be proud of.

Despite his success, his estrangement from the Holloways is still a sore spot he can’t quite heal, and a called-in favor becomes Glenn’s worst nightmare. Caught in a promise, Glenn returns to his roots to deal with his half brother, Rand Holloway, and comes face-to-face with Mac Gentry, a man far too appealing for Glenn’s own good. It could all lead to disaster—disaster for his tenuous reconnection with his family and for the desire he didn’t know he held in his heart.

Glenn Holloway doesn't seem to have a place in his ranching family anymore ever since he admitted to his family that he was gay and wanted to open his own restaurant. While he won't get help from his father and brother, he works hard to get it up and running and it pays off. Not only does he build a successful restaurant but he builds a surrogate family as well.

When Rand calls in a marker for Glenn to help out on the ranch he knows it's going to be a nightmare. He no longer belongs in a ranch and no one really seems to want him there. To make matters worse he has to be around Mac Gentry. Despite his attitude towards the man he can't tamp down his attraction to him. Somehow, though, what starts out as a disaster turns into a blessing. Glenn has the opportunity to make things right with not only his family but Mac as well.

I enjoyed this story, but I have to say it was a little bit like reading about Stef's clone for a bit there. Glenn reminded me of Stef and Jory which I didn't hate but made me a little exasperated. Oh well, it's Mary Calmes style and I love her books so I ignore it.

I also did not like the way Rand, Glenn's brother and the rest of the people outside of his employees treated him. They were jerks and the fact that then it was Glenn apologizing to them for being an oversensitive ass made me mad. He was just responding to feeling like no one gave a damn about him. And as for Mac, ugh he's lucky that he became likable because he was a jerk, too.

Other than all that, I enjoyed the story but definitely not as much as the first two books. It was nice to see Glenn get his HEA but I really would just like to see more Stef and Rand and their family.

4 Stars!

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Dreamspinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by the author/publisher for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*

When the Dust settles is Book 3 of Mary Calmes’ Timing series. Can it be read alone? Yes, probably, but don’t do it! You absolutely must read Books 1 and 2 which are about Rand and Stefan! 

In this book, Glenn, Rand’s cousin/half-brother, is living life on his terms. He’s left the ranch and is running his own restaurant, successfully. He’s made a family with his staff and has little to do with the Holloway’s. But Glen owes Stefan a favor, and no matter how much he hates to go back to be part of the ranch for a weekend, he won’t back out on Stefan. Glenn is going to need to learn how to be part of the family he thought he could walk away with, and deal with an unexpected attraction.

This story is told completely from Glenn’s POV and we find out that Glenn sees things from a different perspective than everyone else. He seems to be a more sensitive person and that alters his reality. He struggles because he no longer has a relationship with his brother and cousin/half-brother, and those two seemed to move on without him and don’t seem to want or need him around. Glenn feels that he doesn’t measure up to either of them and never will, so he’s better off just cutting them out of his life. Not only does he not meet the standards of them, but he also must deal with ranch's foreman Mac. In Glenn’s mind, he can do no right by Mac.

Glenn doesn’t realize it but Mac has always been interested in Glenn. Some poor decisions from Glenn get Mac’s attention and he finally just takes the leap to let Glenn know how he feels. Once Mac can get Glenn to stop jumping to conclusions and open himself up, the relationship, love and moving in together happens quickly. But, these two are not strangers, they have a long history together so it’s totally believable that it could happen this fast.

The only thing I’d like to change about this book, would be to make it longer. I would have loved to have more story after the cattle drive; loved to have more about the restaurant and what happens next. Just more, more, more! 😊 This was a great addition to the Timing series!

Rating: 5 stars