Rating: 4.5
Steam: 2
PoV: dual, 3rd person
Series: Blackwood Ranch #1
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Tropes / tags: cowboys, hurt / comfort, slow burn
“I can’t speak for anyone else,” he said softly, and Wilder inched closer, as though to hear him better. The brim of their hats brushed. “But I’m glad you’re here.”
I’m so happy that I gave this one a chance! Wilder Heart was full of sweet hurt / comfort and a skittish, touch starved character that broke down at the first sign of kindness. I mean, how could I not love everything about this?
Wilder and Cash’s story had me caught from early on and I couldn’t put this one down! Wilder had been through so much, and he had no idea what was waiting for him as he returned to the family ranch after being in prison. Being in close proximity to his twin brother Lain, who he hadn’t seen since the night of his arrest, brought back quite some memories, and neither brother knew how to handle each other.
Lain quickly handed Wilder off to the foreman Cash, and it didn’t take long for a connection to form between them. Cash was excellent at reading Wilder and knew when to give him space, slowly earning his trust. There was a lot of sexual tension between them, and their slow burn was full of sweet and romantic moments. I loved how Wilder just melted at the simplest of touches from Cash, and their tentative friends to lovers was so heartwarming to read. Wilder was very skittish, which was only natural considering his past and childhood, which created a bit of push and pull between them.
It was so easy for me to fall for Wilder and Cash, as well as the whole ranch setting. I could effortlessly picture these two cowboys on their horses, herding the cattle. I loved the sense of community and found family, even if there was a bit of discord between some of the characters. It was frustrating at times, seeing the distance grow between Lain and Wilder, and it was a relief once they realised that they needed to talk things out.
I loved this beautiful and gentle romance – Cash and Wilder had my entire heart while reading! KT Yarrow was a new author to me and I’m definitely going to pick up more of this series, I can’t wait to go back to Blackwood Ranch. The hurt / comfort and slow burn was amazing, and it was just overall such a heartwarming and sweet read.
“Cash.” Being in his arms felt too good. It felt too much like real belonging, and that wasn’t something he deserved. He flattened his palms on Cash’s trunk-like waist in a halfhearted effort to push away, but instead his hands settled into place under Cash’s ribs like it was made for the shape of them.
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