Sutcliffe Cove by Ariel Tachna & Madeleine Urban
The Blurb:
Seeking first-time riding lessons in the rolling hills of Connecticut, Gerald Saunders is pleased to discover Sutcliffe Cove. The current proprietor, Brett Sutcliffe, welcomes the beginner, and Gerald quickly finds a home away from home at the farm as he spends more and more time volunteering there.
Over the course of a few months, Gerald and Brett build a strong friendship, but it’s not until Gerald is off on vacation that the two men realize their friendship could be so much more… sexually satisfying, emotionally intimate, or even warmly loving. But Gerald is so laid back, Brett just isn’t sure what to do next. Move forward and deepen their relationship? Or back off and just be friends with benefits?
Why I bought it:
Madeleine Urban = auto buy for me.
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ Some readers may get pissed off with Gerald because he is absolutely clueless. Doesn’t pick up on cues, goes with the flow, etc, etc. Stick with it because this forms an important part of the story and in particular the relationship between Gerald and Brett. Plus I actually thought it was more cute than annoying. 🙂
Like~ It might be bloody minded of me, but I LOVED the fact that Gerald and Brett didn’t get together straight away. They admitted an attraction (in their own minds at least 😉 ) very early on and then became friends; neither knowing that the other was gay. Some of you may be thinking “what about gaydar?” Remember the Gerald being clueless thing. Yep. Any more doubts?? Trust me. It’s convincing.
Dislike~ While Gerald was away on vacation, Brett just happens to break up with the boy toy, thus making himself available for smexing on G’s return… hmm, a little convenient.
Like~ I must say I found it absofrigginlutely refreshing to read a contemporary with a focus on the romance itself and without any complications like angsty family/s, stalkers, etc. It made a great change and added to my enjoyment of the story.
So, what I think:
A must for fans of these authors and a very good contemporary romance. Terrific stuff all round.
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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 
This sounds very cute. How long is it? Not that it matters, just curious. I do enjoy contemporary romances where the romance is item #1. Not that angst isn’t appreciated but there are those times when I want to step away from the angst. *sigh* what your “tastes” do to my tbb! oy! 🙂
I really enjoyed it and it didn’t bother me that he was clueless. Some people just are and it was nice they were friends first. I think the fact that he broke up the way he did was a bit odd, they should have had a big blow-up at the BBQ. 🙂 I’m all for big drama queen scenes. Tracy, its about 225 pages, pretty long. It takes a good portion of the book of them being friends until they get together. Worth the time for sure. Oh and if you like horses or riding there are lots of descriptions which I enjoyed.
Tam – thanks for the info. It does sound good. And who doesn’t love a man on a horse? lol
Tracy: I was gonna ask if your fingers were broken that you couldn’t click on the link, but Tam is obviously much nicer than me.It was great to read just a simple (and I hope that’s not taken the wrong way) romance… and with riding school cowboys no less. ;)Hey, you can’t blame me about this taste. This one is on Lily.
Twas really good, wasn’t it, Tam. It sounds as though you had fairly similar responses to me about the book. *Phew!*I admit I was waiting to see if there was gonna be a bust up at the bbq, but I guess it would have been hard with all the kiddies around. 😦 Oh well. Maybe there will be a big dramatic break up scene in one of our next reads, Tam. One can only hope.
Completely OT….why don’t you cross post all your reviews to your blogs? Making me *hunt* for them *pouts*
Kris’ #2 rule for this blog is ‘thou shalt not rate’, hence no reviews for Wave here, but at the LJ thingy. Why don’t I cross post my reviews here with the LJ thingy?? Coz; plus I enjoy messing with peep’s heads. *G*BTW, I didn’t think it was possible for blogger to hate someone more than me. I am impressed.
No, I never rate on my blog either. When I cross posted my reviews, I cut that part out and just posted the blurb and review.
Thanks for the “taste” Kris.The book sounds really nice, I very much enjoy reading a book that focuses on the relationship between the protags. Sometimes it’s nice to leave the drama and angst out and just focus on the romance.Looking forward to reading it, though it won’t be for a while yet. And hey, I don’t mind taking the blame for this taste at all!!Lily 🙂
Kris: I only like the drama queen break-up when its between one of the heroes and their totally inappropriate boyfriend leaving them free to hook up with the other hero who would be perfect for them. 🙂
You’re welcome, Lily! “Sutcliffe Cove” was such a refreshing change. A real romance… if you get my meaning.Oh, and good cos it was your fault after all. 😉
I’m with you, Tam. LOL.
*runs off to Dreamspinner to buy book*Thanks, Kris!
without any complications like angsty family/s, stalkers, etcWhat? No stalker? *shock* Thank you for the taster Kris! Question – just throwing it out there. What one m/m author should I be reading? (Sorry for such an evil question 🙂
No probs, Jen. 🙂
Orannia: I know! LOL.Question – just throwing it out there. What one m/m author should I be reading? (Sorry for such an evil question :)You're right. That IS an evil question. Geez. Obviously I can only speak for myself, but some of my autobuys are:M L Rhodes (check out this: http://krisngoodbooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/tasting-authors-m-l-rhodes.html); T A Chase (http://krisngoodbooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/tasting-authors-t-chase.html); Josh Lanyon (via Loose Id, MLR Press & Samahain Publishing);J L Langley (Samhain Publishing);Madeleine Urban (Dreamspinner Press); and, one of many readers' fave series is Jet Mykles' Heaven Sent (Loose Id).Think that will keep you busy?? *g*
Thanks for the taste! I’ve been eyeing this one for a while. Adding it to my TBB pile now.
There was a link? Oh, wow…look at that. Amazing what you can find when you open your eyes. 🙂
Nichem: Just call me Big Kris the Pimp. ;)Tracy: Didn’t you just get new glasses the other day??
*sigh* This is in my will-eventually-crush-you-and-the-cat-will-have-to-eat-you-until-someone-finds-you-dead TBR pile.
the-cat-will-have-to-eat-you-until-someone-finds-you-deadOne of my worst nightmares! Icky.
Well, I’d rather that she survives, so if she has to do that, good for her!