Reviewed by Danielle

TITLE: Mapping the Forest

SERIES: Rocky Mountain Boys

AUTHOR: Brandon Witt

PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press

LENGTH: 240 Pages

RELEASE DATE: November 4, 2016

BLURB:

Happily ever after has no map, but sometimes fate sends a guiding light.

Gabe Rice, a seasonal ranger at the Rocky Mountain National Park, can’t seem to get his life on the right trail. He loves the rugged beauty of the land, and there is no place he would rather live than the mountain community of Estes Park. But after six years, Gabe is beginning to wonder if he’ll ever get a full-time position or find love. When Gabe sees Luis—and hears his gorgeous singing—he’s compelled to meet him.

Luis Martinez, the new owner of a hotel and steak ride business in Estes, left California and a career as a therapist for a fresh start in Colorado. But even the beauty of the mountains can’t help him forget the past or move forward. Unprepared for his strong attraction to Gabe, Luis is ready to run and hide from emotions he never thought he’d have again.

Suddenly the path ahead opens to a future that looks brighter for both of them, if they can find the courage to walk forward—together

REVIEW:

This book has me a little confused about how I feel. There are parts that I loved and didn’t want to stop reading but on the other hand there were parts that really had me feeling like it was dragging. I really liked the setting author Brandon Witt built, the world he has created and the people in it.  I am more than excited to read the rest of this series, strongly hoping that it will be a series that gives us ALL characters in the following books.

Main characters Luis and Gabe are starring in the first book in this brand new series. Despite them being the featured couple, their friends and self-made family are just as interesting and fascinating to explore. Brandon Witt made a great set up for a lot more while focusing on telling the reader Luis and Gabe’s story.

Gabe…whats not to love about Gabe? He is adorable, kind and gentle, maybe little bit naive but a loyal friend. He falls head over heals in love with Luis, a former therapist who after personal grief, changed his life and moved to the countryside to start over, not expecting to meet a man who catches his eye and stirs something in him that he didn’t expect to be feeling again.

That is also for me where the problem lies. I cannot get into details too much as I don’t want to spoil anything but for me it was sometimes a bit of a struggle to keep trying to understand Luis’ hesitance and reactions towards Gabe.

I had times where I thought Gabe had to be a saint to keep trying to understand and to keep his patience but when the men were together going out, exploring nature and just interacting, that was what kept my interest and had me willing to read more.

There is no question author Brandon Witt is a gifted author with his storytelling. Even in this low-angst story he spins an entertaining tale about two men coming from opposite worlds who find each other through struggles and disappointments. Sticking with each other, holding on and standing strong surrounded by friends.

So despite my little notes of criticism I still recommend this story and I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

RATING:

BUY LINKS:

Dreamspinner Press

Amazon