One Shot by Grant C Holland

 

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Drew Thompson is a widowed single father. Ashe Huntsman is an HIV+ banker. They stumble upon each other, both clad in speedos, at a beefcake photo shoot and attraction at first sight erupts. Soon, they are both unpacking their personal baggage, revealing themselves piece by piece, like peeling back the layers of an onion. Can a budding romance survive the skeletons in their closets and the meddling of concerned relatives over the custody of Drew’s child?

One Shot is a 53,000-word standalone gay romance with hurt/comfort, second chance, and family themes. It has a guaranteed happy ending.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

One Shot is a wonderful romance by Grant C Holland. There is plenty of depth to these men and their story, as they deal with some heavy subjects, including grief and having HIV.

Drew and Ashe meet at a photo shoot, where their bodies are fully on display, and the attraction is all too real. It doesn't take long for the sparks to fly, but both men have some secrets, fears, and doubts. 

Drew's a trainer for an NBA team, thus we get some delightful sports moments. He's a single father to an adorable son, Carter, raising him by himself after the death of his wife. I adore Carter and all his moments in the story. I always enjoy kids in my stories, so this is a big plus for me. 

Drew's emotional baggage is heavy, as he's gay but was in an essentially loveless marriage to a women. His is one of those stories where the grief is real, but also a blessing. It's sad, but well explained. 

Ashe, meanwhile is a banker whose past is messy. After years of being promiscuous, he got sick and discovered he's HIV positive. His journey is very explored, with plenty of care.

There's a lot going on in this story. Drew's dealing with starting to date, and his son's reaction to it. Drew has some issues with his former in laws to deal it. And he also has to deal with his sexuality, as he's always been gay, but "fell" into being a father and married to a woman. 

I appreciate the way Ashe's HIV status is handled, both the diagnosis, the illness itself, and his learning to cope with it. As well, I like the way he struggles with telling people his status. And I appreciate that despite the safety of being with an HIV person being addressed, it also addresses the first reactions and the natural fear involved.

Theirs is a tale with pain and regret. I appreciate everything about this story. The overall theme is written with knowledge and care. The author delivers a thoughtful, heartfelt tale of loving someone who has HIV. We get to follow along as they meet, make confessions, and fall in love. I also love the way Drew deals with his son.

One of my favorite parts of the story is their sex lives. I adore the way Drew approaches sex with the HIV positive Ashe. The bondage is a great touch. 

It's a tale of taking chances. And it's a tale where honesty is more important than ever, and both men are mature and thoughtful.  

Written in alternating first person pov, both men are well developed and their storyline is intriguing. Although the writing focuses on actions and events, there's a good amount of emotion as well.

One Shot is truly a sweet tale. Grant Hollands impresses in this multi-layered romance. And it's a must read for anyone looking for a book with an HIV positive character. 

Crash (Northwoods # 2) by Grant C. Holland

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“Please don’t let me die.”

When Hal, a victim of a small plane crash in the Minnesota Northwoods, first met Gabe, the earliest EMT on the scene, surviving to see another day was the only thing on his mind. But there is more behind the warm, reassuring smile. Gabe is like a stone dropped into the pond of Hal's life, causing ripples that will change everything forever.

Hal Brentwood is the straight son of an East Coast corporate titan. With his good looks and innocent charm, he’s selected as the family’s ticket into the world of politics.

Gabe Peligo is a triple-trained first responder for the small Northwoods town of Arrowhead Falls. He’s EMT, firefighter, and sometimes police presence in an area that caters to thousands of tourists looking for an escape from their hectic world back home. Saving lives is his life work.

In the hospital following the crash, a spark passes between Hal and Gabe. Outdoor adventures fan a smoldering attraction into flames. Gabe brings Hal to life in ways that he never expected.

Unfortunately, life circumstances threaten to stop them from building a relationship. Gabe’s circle of friends are natural political enemies for Hal. The idea of Hal coming out gay during a political campaign is anathema to his campaign manager and, ultimately, his all-powerful father. Will their hearts find a way to be together or will the interests of others be impossible to overcome?

Crash is a 60,000 word male-male romance set in the Northwoods of Minnesota. It is the second book in the Northwoods series and includes characters from the first. It may be read as a standalone romance. It includes first time gay, coming out, and fish out of water themes. There are steamy moments and a guaranteed happy ending.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Crash is the second book in Grant C Holland's Northwoods series, which is a sweet small town series.

This one has politics involved, as Hal, a city guy comes to Northwoods to run for office. When he's in a plane crash, he meets Gabe, who saves his life. What follows is a great romance, with a lone kiss and some nice first times and a whole lot of character growth. 

Hal has been living the life he's been forced into. He's always been closeted, denying his desires. Until meeting Gabe, and suddenly wanting more. 

The writing is wonderful, as the author excels in combining small town feels with tender romance. Both men are well developed, with unique backgrounds, personalities, and voices. And both men are perfectly lovable. I enjoy the easy manner with everything unfolds for them. It's definitely a story of two men who are meant to be together, and make one another better. 

I truly enjoyed Crash. This Grant C Holland story is perfect when you're looking for a sweet coming out romance. 

Heart of The Woods by Grant C Holland

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BLURB


"The Ugly Duckling is just a fairy tale...In real life, the swan always has a broken wing. It makes it impossible to fly.”

When Levi left college to convince his grandmother to pack up her off-the-grid life in the Northwoods of Minnesota and return to civilization, he never expected to lose an argument and stay. He didn’t expect to fall in love either. In the small Missouri farm town where he grew up, Levi was a skinny gay kid with glasses scared of his own shadow and the tormentors who lurked in the hallways of his high school. A rugged life on Lone Cedar Lake helped him blossom into an attractive, muscular young man, but the underlying insecurities remained.

Brandon fell in love with the lakes and woods during a spring break visit with a college friend. Upon graduation, he began building a wilderness guide business that gave him the capital to buy his first house at age 24. A downturn in the local economic atmosphere sent him scrambling to shore up the bottom line. He thought a new wilderness route to the mysterious Lone Cedar Lake would be just the ticket to lure in new clients.

While exploring for the new route, Brandon spotted Levi in another canoe. Their first encounter led to a physical battle on the forest floor, but soon, an attraction they couldn’t ignore blossomed. Unfortunately, romance won’t be so easy when the mysteries of the past threaten to stand in their way.

Heart of the Woods is a 55,000-word ugly duckling romance set in the Northwoods of Minnesota. It includes steamy scenes, a happily-ever-after ending, canoes paddling in the wilderness, and some of the best stargazing on earth.



REVIEW
My Rating - 3 Stars!


The Heart of the Woods is a cute little story by Grant C Holland.

I really enjoyed the character of Levi, who is sweet despite all the bullying he's had to endure. He has been living in the woods, off the radar helping his grandmother. Brandon's also a good guy, totally one with nature, even working in the woods. 

When they first meet, Levi is terrified of Brandon finding his grandmother and disrupting her quiet life. It doesn't take long, however, for him to think Brandon is trustworthy, inviting him back to his place. 

The outdoors were also a wonderful character in itself, described well, transporting you to the remote land.

Their story contains some mystery, some commitment issues, and some angst. In the end, their issues are nicely resolved, leaving both the characters and the readers happy.

The story didn't overwhelm me, but it was a pleasant, quick read. 

Silent Wishes (River Town #2) by Grant Holland

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Blurb

He woke up next to an impossibly handsome man with the sound of gunshots ringing in his ears, but the circumstances dictated they’d never see each other again until fate intervened.

Alan Hansen, former military brat, grew into a nomadic adult. He never spent more than three years in one place, until he decided to settle down with his Basset hound Boomer in a small river town in southern Minnesota. He wants a house, permanent job, friends, and a partner, all of the things that make life worth living.

Diego Flores met Alan when both were caught as bystanders to a drug-infested gun battle. Just hours after escaping the violence, still rattled by the experience, they tumbled into bed together in a fiery encounter that had to end the next morning.

After the daylight slaughter of his parents, Diego left his beloved Mexico for good to set up a thriving trucking firm on an investment visa in the upper Midwest. Alan’s new job brings them back together to do business and pursue a second chance. Sparks fly the moment they meet again, and the old attractions quickly kindled from smoldering embers into raging flames.

Alan is determined not to lose Diego a second time, but unfortunately, fearful neighbors in an economically-challenged small town aim to stand in their way. Can love overcome hatred, threats, and violence in this sleepy river town?

Silent Wishes is a 50,000 word second chance romance. It has steamy scenes, no cliffhangers, and a happily ever after in the end. It is the second novel in the River Town series, but it can easily be read as a standalone novel.



REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!

Silent Wishes, by Grant Holland, is a great second chance romance.

The story is written with fantastic characters who are completely relatable, a whole lot of heart, and some loveable romance!

While reading it, I laughed, I cried and I swooned.

I adore the second chance between Diego and Alan, and admire all the obstacles they need to overcome if they are going to be together.

Overall, Silent Wishes is a classic Grant Holland romance, gifting us with a good way to spend a few hours.

Hidden Dreams (River Town #3) by Grant Holland

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Blurb

Puck doesn’t think he can handle any more bad news. He’s a widower with a baby just eight weeks old. His wife Miranda died suddenly and unexpectedly just twelve hours after Addie’s birth. With the world turning dark, and the future looking grim, hope reappears when a handsome blonde, blue-eyed man brings a grocery store disaster to a halt with a ring of shiny keys.

Ross is restless in the small river town of Coldbrook Bend. He left his hometown to escape a bad relationship, but he’s been unable to find someone new. Despite enjoying the support of a rich set of new friends, he’s considering abandoning the small town life for the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. When he least expects it, a widower with an adorable baby appears to shake up all of his plans.

Puck has never kissed a man before, much less had a relationship with one. However, his desire to be with Ross is not as unprecedented as he originally thinks. After another chance meeting on a snowy winter night, they are soon enjoying a joyful domestic life together. Unfortunately, life has one more stroke of bad luck in store. Both Ross and Puck will need to call on all of their resources to make their once-hidden dreams come true.

Hidden Dreams is a 50,000 word slow burn, first time gay romance. It has steamy scenes and no cliffhangers. It’s the third novel in the River Town series and includes characters from the two previous books. However, it can easily be read as a standalone novel.

REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!

Hidden Dreams is the 3rd book in Grant Holland's River Town series and each book just keeps getting better.

If you haven't read this series yet, please go check it out. Grant Holland has created a wonderful small river town, where some fantastic characters live. I have completely fallen for the small town's charm. It is so well described that one can totally imagine the town and feel like they are there. 

In this story, I love Puck and Ross, the way their relationship develops and Puck's falling for a guy for the first time. 

And I would be remiss to not mention Addie, Puck's daughter, who is absolutely charming and manages to have everyone fall in love with her! 

Hidden Dreams is everything you'd want from a sweet romance. I can only hope that Grant Holland continues to write about this town!

Private Hearts (River Town #1) by Grant Holland

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Blurb

Dak Preston is a deckhand on a Mississippi river towboat. That means four weeks on the river and two weeks onshore. It also means men willing to stick around for a relationship are hard to find. He's learned to keep his heart protected from the chaos of men drifting in and out of his bed. Lewis, his latest boyfriend, is on the way out, and Dak faces a new month on the boat with no one waiting for him at home.

Brody Sexton, his best friend since elementary school, is reeling from the sudden illness and death of his mother. He calls on Dak to help him move into the house she left behind. While storing items in the attic, Brody stumbles upon a set of photos that changes the way he sees his family. Secrets of love were hidden far away in the heart of a relative he barely knew.

Both men are vulnerable when they get together to celebrate Dak's last night in town before he joins the boat for another month on the river. The usual pizza, beer, and movies lead to an unexpected kiss, and their lives are changed. They have a glimpse into what could be, but Dak's ties to the river and the mystery of Brody's family threaten to intervene. Will they find the way to set their private hearts free?

Private Hearts is a 50,000 word friends-to-lovers romance. It has steamy scenes and no cliffhangers. It's the first novel in the River Town series, but it can easily be read as a standalone novel.




REVIEW
My Rating - 5 Stars!


Private Hearts is the premiere book in the River Town series by Grant Holland, and it is wonderful!

I love Friends to Lovers stories, and this one does not disappoint. Brody and Dax have been friends since they were young, but have never actually hooked up. As they start to realize they are attracted to each other, and act on this attraction, a beautiful romance follows. Their friendship is wonderful, and the author does a great job with alternating POVs.

Of course, it isn't always easy to make the transition from Friends to Lovers, and these two will face some obstacles. In the end though, they will find their HEA and it's a wonderful journey to get them there.

And, let's just take a moment to look at this cover! It is stunning and perfect for this book.

I highly recommend Private Hearts to anyone who loves a great small town book, as well as anyone who loves Friends to Lovers. Grant Holland has definitely sucked me into this series!