Hardwood
Four Bears Construction Series, Book Three
KM Neuhold
Release Date: 07.01.20
M/M Contemporary Romance
I’ve spent forty-four years of my life telling the world I’m a carpet man. Is it too late to admit to myself and everyone else that deep down I’m really all about the Hardwood?
It took me over thirty-five years to admit to myself that I’m gay, another seven to find the courage to say it out loud to anyone else, and exactly thirty seconds to develop a massive crush on my daughter’s music teacher. It’s really not my fault, have you even seen those cute bowties he wears?
After everything it’s taken to get here, am I going to work up the nerve to come out to my ex-wife and my best friends? Am I ready to shake up my comfortable, simple life and take a chance on Watson? Or am I going to throw a wrench in my own chance for happily ever after?
Hardwood is a steamy, seriously so much delicious tension, single-dad, gay awakening, low angst story, which happens to be the third in the Four Bears Construction Series. It CAN be read as a stand-alone. There are NO shifters in this series, only the OTHER kind of bears.
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My Rating - 5 Stars!
Hardwood, the third book in KM Neuhold's Four Bears Construction, is a beautiful, heart-felt romance.
Ev has been closeted forever. After divorcing his wife, it's finally time for him to try to explore his gay side. He never expected to meet the man of his life immediately. But meeting Watson feels right, even if it ends up that he teaches Ev's daughter.
Damn, the feelings come out in full force with this story. Ev's struggles with coming out are so damn sad. I love the way this is written, as Watson and the reader fully understand why Ev is so scared. Yet, it definitely leads to some problems for the out and proud Watson.
And Watson, oh dear god, his hesitancy, and then his doubts, are fully brought to life. My heart hurt for the man.
Then there's Liv, Ev's daughter. She is adorable and totally lovable.
Add in a wonderful ex-wife, and some amazing friends, and there's a lot to love about this story. Seriously, the ex wife is written in a stellar manner, lovable, understanding, and totally not a bitch.
Told in alternating 1st person pov. the author fully brings these men to life. Add in some hysterical humor, and this book is a winner.
Hardwood is definitely a recommended read. KM Neuhold delights in this tale of sexual exploration and coming out. I am definitely adding this to my re-read list.
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“Welcome then. I’ve been coming here for years, and it’s a great bar. Lots of nice people, and the drinks aren’t overpriced, not much more you could ask for out of a bar,” I ramble, taking another sip from my drink to shut my stupid mouth up.
The corner of his lip quirks up in an uncertain sort of half smile. “Thanks. I’m not sure I’ll become a regular, I’m kind of…trying it out,” he confesses.
“I get it.”
I glance over my shoulder to make sure my friends aren’t terribly bereft without me, and I’m unsurprised to find them both making vulgar gestures in my direction. Sometimes it’s hard to remember why I love them. I give them the finger and turn my attention back to Everett.
“So, what do you do for a living?”
“You don’t have to do that,” he says.
“Do what?” I cock my head curiously, pulling my eyebrows together.
“You saw me acting nervous in the parking lot and now you think I need a friend, right?” he guesses. “I appreciate it, but you don’t need to worry about me. I really am just here for a drink.”
“Wow, I clearly need to work on my flirting if it’s coming off as pity,” I joke. Yes, I figured he could use a friendly welcome after seeing how nervous he was outside. Would I also like to take him home and lick his abs, among other things? Also, yes.
“Sorry,” he says, giving me another one of those cute half-smiles. “I am so far outside of my comfort zone right now it’s not even funny.”
“Fuck comfort zones. When was the last time something memorable happened inside of a comfort zone?” I challenge.
A surprised laugh escapes his lips, and his half smile is cranked up to a full smile, and damn is he even more gorgeous when he smiles for real.
“You have a point there,” he agrees.
“I’m a genius,” I agree. “Listen, I won’t bug you if you’d rather be alone.”
He looks down at his glass, swirling it absently. “Construction,” he says.
“What?”
“You asked what I do for a living,” he explains. “I own a construction company.”
“Yeah, I can see that.” I nod and drain the rest of my drink, gesturing to Van for one more. “Now, when you’re all hot and sweaty, using your big, hard hammer to pound something, are you usually shirtless, or is that only how it works in porn?”
He snorts into his drink, sputtering a cough as he sets his glass down and reaches for a napkin. “I don’t think OSHA would approve of being shirtless on a work site,” he answers once he stops coughing.
I sigh dramatically. “I feel so lied to. If you can’t trust porn, who can you trust?”
“The eternal question,” he agrees solemnly.
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Author K.M. Neuhold is a complete romance junkie, a total sap in every way. She started her journey as an author in new adult, MF romance, but after a chance reading of an MM book she was completely hooked on everything about lovely- and sometimes damaged- men finding their Happily Ever After together. She has a strong passion for writing characters with a lot of heart and soul, and a bit of humor as well. And she fully admits that her OCD tendencies of making sure every side character has a full backstory will likely always lead to every book having a spin-off or series. When she's not writing she's a lion tamer, an astronaut, and a superhero...just kidding, she's likely watching Netflix and snuggling with her husky while her amazing husband brings her coffee.
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