Bar None (Hoppy Hare #1) by Tia Fielding

 

Amazon Link - Available in KU
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What would you do if you’d been in love with your straight best friend for fifteen years, and his third marriage just fell apart? When is the pain of unrequited love too much to bear?

Josiah owns Hoppy Hare, a bar where he worked when he first met his two best friends, Denny and Sammie. Now, Denny owns a record label and Sammie tours the world with her band. Josiah is content with running the Hare and the staff who have become family.

A lot of things have changed over the years, but they’ve gotten over each hurdle. Life is good, if you don’t count the constant, searing pain of unrequited love Josiah has pushed aside for so long. But then Denny’s third marriage falls apart, and Josiah can’t take it anymore.

Confused about what’s going on, Denny gets the professional help he so sorely needs, and finds out more about himself in the process.

Life isn’t done with those curveballs though. How can they stick together during troubling times and everything between Denny and Josiah is up in the air like never before?

Bar None (Hoppy Hare #1) is a low-angst, warm fuzzies kind of story about found family formed by people who are very different from one another, yet who fit together like pieces of a lovely rainbow-colored puzzle, and who realize that love in all its forms is what matters the most, everything else is just the garnish on top of the cocktail of life.

My Rating - 4.5 Stars!

Bar None is a fabulous friends to lovers romance. The first book in Tia Fielding's Hoppy Hare series, I am in love. 

Denny and Josiah are best friends. Josiah's long been in love with his best friend but Denny is straight. When Denny's latest marriage ends, he's suddenly looking at his best friend in a sexual way. I love sexual awakening romances! 

First of all, I adore Denny's cluelessness. Without some outside help, he'd probably never discover that his friend loves him and that he's actually attracted to his friend also. Seriously, he just doesn't have a clue.

The author slowly moves things forward for these two. It is slow burn for sure. Somewhat too much of a slow burn. But, it's all well developed. And it's fabulous. 

Their story includes family issues and therapy. There's sexual awakening, doubts, and insecurities. It's first kisses and first dates. But most of all, it's two best friends who will do anything for one another. 

A wonderful aspect of this story is the addition of all the secondary characters. There are many and I'm in love with them. I definitely want to learn more about these people. They are all family at the Bar and it's beautiful. 

Overall, I love Bar None. Every moment of this Tia Fielding tale had me mesmerized. It's sweet and feel good, with all the signs of a wonderful series in the making. 

A Desperate Man by Lisa Henry & Tia Fielding

 

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When they were teenagers, Quinn MacGregor and Aaron Larsen fell in love over the course of one magical summer. It ended in bloodshed and tragedy.

Now, ten years later, Quinn is back in Spruce Creek, Nevada, to inherit his family’s criminal cartel. His cousin Jimmy has been making friends -- and enemies -- in dangerous places, but that doesn’t mean he’s happy to hand over leadership to Quinn. And Jimmy might not be the only one who wants Quinn out of the way for good, especially if Quinn’s secret comes out.

Aaron Larsen is back in Spruce Creek to sell his former family home. Aaron lost a leg in Afghanistan, and he’s drinking too much and battling depression and PTSD. The last thing he needs is for Quinn MacGregor to drop back into his miserable life. But when Quinn is shaken by the news that he left more behind in Spruce Creek than his bad memories, he turns to Aaron like it’s old times, and Aaron doesn’t know how to say no.

The events of ten years ago cast a long shadow, and in a town where they can’t trust anyone else, Quinn and Aaron just might have to learn to trust each other again. 

My Rating - 4 Stars!

A Desperate Man is a nice small town romance by Lisa Henry and Tia Fielding. 

Quinn and Aaron are two men with a complicated cast. Both return to their small town at the same time, giving them a chance to make amends. 

If you enjoy complicated, troubled characters, look no further.

Both men are trying to find their way, both at a crossroads. Aaron is back to sell his family home. He's an amputee and he drinks way too much. And there's a new discovery he's about to make. 

Meanwhile, Quinn comes from a dangerous family and they want him to run the illegal family business now. But he wants to quit and go the legal route. It's complicated to say the least.

The danger added by Quinn's family is ever looming. It's well written, keeping me intrigued and invested throughout. And damn, this part made me so angry. 

There's a lot of surprises in this story, so I am trying not to say too much. 

The whole story kept me intrigued throughout. I love Lennon. I enjoy the connection and chemistry between the men. Things aren't easy for them, as they have a lot of obstacles in their way. And of course there's a fun twist, as Quinn has a secret - Ohh...love it!

This is a story with depression and PTSD issues. It's a story of resentment and anger that leads to chemistry, forgiveness, and love.

The small town aspect is well done, fully bringing the small town to life. And the authors keep you invested with some twists and turns along the way. 

A Desperate Man is a nice redemption/second chance romance. This Lisa Henry and Tia Fielding read mixes second chances with family issues, danger, and a little bit of heat. It's a fun read that left me glad to have found it.

Recipe for Two by Tia Fielding & Lisa Henry

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Blurb

Wyatt Abbot is 19. On the outside, he lives the perfect life. He has a loving family, he’s wealthy, and he has just been given the opportunity to travel to Paris and train under one of the world’s best pastry chefs. But underneath all that, Wyatt is struggling. He’s battling anxiety, he’s scared of the future, and he’s struggling to come to terms with the fact that he’s genderfluid.

Izzy Kostas is 28, and on parole. When he gets a job at Abbot Organic Produce, it’s a chance for a new start. Izzy has his own demons he’s trying to overcome, but meeting Wyatt throws even more complications his way. Izzy has always thought of himself as straight, and certainly didn’t expect to fall for his boss’s little brother.

When Izzy is blamed for putting the Abbots at risk, it jeopardizes everything he and Wyatt have begun to build together. Izzy knows how important family is to Wyatt, and he doesn’t want him to have to take sides. But when it comes to found families, nobody is perfect, and there’s always room for another seat at the table.


Review 
My Rating - 5 Stars!

Oh, how I love Tia Fielding and Lisa Henry's Recipe for Two! This follow up to Family Recipe is absolutely fantastic! The start is good, but a little slow. But as soon as the main characters meet, I found myself living and breathing these men and their lives. 

A heartfelt and beautiful story, it focuses on Wyatt and Izzy. Wyatt's confused, scared, and unable to tell anyone his truth. Izzy's an ex-con who's hired to work on Wyatt's family farm. From there we get a tender and sweet romance between two men who have an instant connection.

Upon meeting Wyatt, Izzy finds someone who see beyond his past. Wyatt sees him for who he is and gives him the strength to be the person he wants to be. Basically Wyatt saves him by trusting him and loving him. Add in that Izzy's never fallen for a guy before, and the reader is treated to some amazing first times. 

And then there's Wyatt's situation. Poor Wyatt has a secret he can't admit to anyone. I don't want to give anything away, but his secret is amazingly well explored, written with care and compassion. I found myself madly in love with this character, wanting to hug, protect, and encourage him myself. I definitely teared up at times throughout this aspect of the story.

These are two men who bring out the best in one another. They are realistic characters who impress the hell out of me. They have a lot to deal with, including some crippling anxiety, some health concerns and some major complications. The anxiety is so damn realistic and absolutely gut-wrenching. I could seriously feel the anxiety myself, and I love how the authors handle this throughout.

And the family. Oh the family. I absolutely love them! This group who we met in Family Recipe is super supportive and loving. They are tested at times, but they are what family should be. 

This is a story that illustrates severe anxiety attacks, PTSD, and a whole lot of character growth. This is a story of overcoming all odds with the support of loved ones. This story is an emotional roller coaster that tugs at my heartstrings often. 

The writing is stellar, with multi-layered characters and some serious, thought-provoking topics. The character growth is ever present and amazing. The angst is well done; just the right amount, and the ending is perfect!

I just love everything about Recipe For Two. This Tia Fielding and Lisa Henry book is fabulous. I am thrilled to have gotten a chance to revisit the characters from Family Recipe, as well as getting to know new ones. 

Family Recipe by Tia Fielding & Lisa Henry

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Blurb

Justin O'Dwyer is 19. Four days ago, his mother died of a drug overdose, and now Justin is back in Enterprise, Oregon, trying to figure out how to raise the younger siblings he's afraid of losing to the foster system. Justin is completely out of his depth. Harper is six, and hates him. Wyatt is four and doesn't remember him. And baby Scarlett, at fourteen months, has never even met her big brother before. When Scarlett gets sick and won't stop screaming, and when Harper runs off in the middle of the night, Justin is at the end of his tether. In desperation, he knocks on a neighbor's door begging for help.

Del Abbot is 38, and living in his grandparents' old place in Enterprise after his marriage broke down and he lost his restaurant in the divorce. He's a chef, even had his own show on cable for a while, but now he's looking for a new start, if he could just figure out what exactly that entails. When the O'Dwyer family barrels into his life one night, Del can't refuse to help. What begins as a trip to the hospital becomes a regular child-minding gig while Justin struggles to find his feet. And the more time Del spends with Justin, the more they both want more than friendship. But small town life comes with its own bigotry, and, in Justin's case, that bigotry has always been close to home.

When an act of violence threatens to destroy the small family they've built, both Justin and Del need to put aside their pasts and reach for their future together.

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Family Recipe is a wonderful age gap book by Tia Fielding and Lisa Henry. Gripping from page one, this one has a 19 year age gap, and it's wonderfully explored.

Justin's a complex character. He left home at 15, needing to get away from his junkie mother. Now, at 19 he's back, trying to raise his siblings since his mother died. They barely know him, and aren't subtle about their angry and hatred. Luckily for him, his older neighbor Dell is around and able to help with the children, which he desperately needs. 

What follows is an emotional story full of doubts and fears. The pain and fear of abuse jumps off the page at times. These are two men who seem to have a power imbalance, but they are equally able to lift the other one up, inspiring one another to a better life. It's a story of finding someone you love who can save you. It's impressive and beautiful.

Justin's backstory of being born into the bad family in town, a family full of drunks and thieves, is exceptionally developed and explored. I love the approach the authors took with this aspect.

The writing is amazing, the characters wonderfully complex, and the storyline absolutely riveting. This writing duo of Tia Fielding and Lisa Henry is fantastic, taking the reader on one hell of an incredible journey. The character growth is astounding in this hurt/comfort read. 

Family Recipe is one of those special books that begs to be read in one sitting. 

If you enjoy loveable characters who need a break in life, this one is a must read. And, wow, the mushy and heartfelt ending is perfect.

Thirteen (Love by Numbers Book 3) by Tia Fielding

Amazon Link - Available in KU 

Goodreads Link

Blurb

Deputy Mark Forrest and Nurse Francis Archer can’t deny the chemistry that arises between them. A chance meeting awakens the idea of something greater than either had ever imagined.

Mark craves being able to let go, and Francis loves to take him out of his head. But Mark’s past bears a truckload of personal demons that have kept him in the closet and made him lash out at the LGBTQ community in the town he’s come to regard as home.

Despite finding love and a new purpose in Acker, Francis’s new job might end up being temporary, and he doesn't want to lose the life he's settled into. Can the two of them build a future together despite a bitter past, and diverging paths?

Trigger Warning: Abusive, homophobic, and racist language, light D/s, homophobia, vague descriptions of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

This novel is the third book in the Love by Numbers series. While it can be read as a standalone, the author suggests that you start from book #1, Ten, and go from there for the best reading experience.

Review 

My Rating -  5 Stars!

Tia Fielding's Thirteen is a spectacular addition to Tia Fielding's Love By the Numbers series. It's a stunning tale of making amends; of taking control of one's life and feelings. 

The third book in the series, it's easily read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend reading the first two books Ten and Four since they are stupendous as well.

Mark is a victim of abuse, leaving him both skittish and broken. He's been hiding firmly in the closet, causing him to have done some regretful things. Basically, the author does a stellar job with the exploration of internalized homophobia. 

A chance meeting with Francis changes everything as Mark finds himself instantly calmed by the new man. The way in which Francis make Mark feel safe is beautifully written. After a hook-up, they end up in the same town together, setting off the fear of being outed, the need to hide, and the troubles that come when feelings get involved. 

Both men are full of emotional pain. The depth of Mark's emotional pain and fear is astounding. The abuse he suffers from his toxic parents as they control too much of his life is maddening. 

As for Francis, he's burdened by his past as well. I'm remaining vague here to not give anything away. I honestly wasn't expecting his past, and was impressed with the way it's developed.

The way that Francis recognizes Mark's submissive nature is fantastic, leading to some wonderful scenes. 

The writing is superb, with two complex characters, an emotional storyline, and plenty to keep the reader invested. The author excels with creating the perfect small town feel, with helps drive this tale. 

As for the meaning of the title, wow, just wow. It made me sick, had me crying, and I'm still in shock. 

Thirteen has a tender sweetness that helps the reader deal with the seriousness of the storyline. It's an emotionally riveting tale of self acceptance and coming out, abundant with distinguishable character growth. And I absolutely love it and highly recommend it to everyone!

Four (Love by Numbers #2) by Tia Fielding

* Updated 2-11-2020 with new edition *

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Blurb

A Love by Numbers Story When unlikely attraction blossoms between a twentysomething genderqueer tattoo artist and an older, small-town veterinarian, both are forced to face their pasts for a chance at a loving future. Four years ago Padraig Donovan lost his husband, the only man he’d ever been with. Now his life consists of the work he loves, a big empty house, and the possibility of a lonely future. Kaos’s experiments with makeup landed him in the hospital at the hands of his disapproving ex. With nowhere else to turn, he flees to Acker, Wisconsin… and runs into a sexy widower and the kindest man he’s ever met. Padraig and Kaos know there’s something worth exploring between them, and as they raise a puppy and deal with the ups and downs of their respective jobs, they fit into each other’s lives in ways they never expected. Being with Kaos—who is so different than the guys he’s always been attracted to—opens up an exciting new world for Padraig. But can he convince Kaos to trust another man with his body… let alone his heart?

Review 

My Rating - 5 Stars!

Tia Fielding's Four is an stunning book. Despite taking me a while to really get into this story, it's amazing.

Tia Fielding excels at warming my heart with these two unlikely lovers. The pace is slow, but for this story it works. With a thoughtful and sensitive tone, it's slow without being too descriptive.

Padraig's reaction to the beautiful, non-binary Kaos is immediate and strong. Having never been attracted to a feminine person, I love his acceptance of Kaos' clothes, makeup, and lace. Their age difference is also wonderful and a very entertaining. In different stages of life, these two men coming together just warms my heart.

Pad and Kaos, both victims of hatred, come together to free one another. Pad's been lonely and feeling old while missing his ex husband. He's lost and doesn't know how to move forward. With Kaos' help, he's a man learning to move on from his grief. Kaos has struggled with acceptance and with Pad's help, Kaos is a man learning to free himself of his past. It's fantastic, entertaining, and heart-warming.

The sexual tension is high throughout, and once they get together, you won't be disappointed.

There's so much depth to this novel. Not just a romance, it focuses on non-binary issues, repressed homophobia, sexual confusion, and abuse. It focuses on cheating and grief, pain and hurt, racism and bigotry. 

One of my favorite aspects of this tale is the slow burn development. Their friendship and connection grows quickly, but they are each treating their attraction with caution. I respect the hell out of this. Both men have been hurt in the past, and I appreciate their ability to take things slow. These two broken men need to slowly heal, and recover from their scars, before truly moving forward.

And, wow, if you like puppies, you will love their little pup. There's some serious cuteness involved.

Overall, I highly recommend Four. Tia Fielding excels in creating a meaningful story full of pain, hurt, healing, and love. It's a beautiful story, but definitely one to be read when you're looking for a serious, slow read.