Reviewed by Becca

TITLE: Rise

SERIES: Men of Hidden Creek season 4 #5

AUTHOR: J. Hayden Bailey

PUBLISHER: self-published

RELEASE DATE: September 13, 2019 

BLURB:

“You’re the sweetest thing at the Fair.”

After leaving the military, Todd Hudson has avoided putting down roots, living with his best friends in Hidden Creek. Entering the Summer Fair baking contest sounds like a sweet time. The cute guy he takes home the night before the competition runs away, but he hasn’t seen the last of him.

Charlie Deacon never puts himself first—in bed, at work, or in life. His rescue dog, Geri, is his only company at home. Pressured to enter the baking contest, he doesn’t expect to find the hunk he regrets ditching. The competition forbids fraternizing, but their bubbling feelings are rising to the surface.

Charlie and Todd couldn’t be more opposite, and they fit together like chocolate and caramel… but they only have a week together. When Charlie’s bullying father and Todd’s career call, can they make it work when the Fair packs up for the year?

Welcome to Hidden Creek, Texas, where the heart knows what it wants, and where true love lives happily ever after. Every Men of Hidden Creek novel can be read on its own, but keep an eye out for familiar faces around town! This book contains a naughty half-Daschund, a giant fairground prize teddy bear, and kisses hotter than fresh-baked cupcakes. 

REVIEW:

I really love those underdog stories, and this is kind of one of those. One of the MCs is constantly being put down or treated badly. Treated like a doormat. But once he realizes he’s not alone and truly loved by people, he gains more confidence in himself and stands proud. And refuses to be a doormat again. I love it. 

Charlie was fed up with being used by his boss at work. But what could he do? He needed the work and didn’t have anywhere else to go right now. He goes to a bar to decompress, only to be used by a prick who left him to go off with someone else for the night. And of course, it stung. The highlight of his day was when a coworker suggested he enter the summer fair baking contest and seeing a beautiful blue eyed man staring at him at work. First, he was nervous but his manners kicked in and he helped Todd find what he needed. All the while, both men were nervous and wanted to give out their number to the other but was afraid to. But meeting up again for the bake off, and Todd is determined to make his feelings known. They start to get to know each other but Todd realizes Charlie is very insecure about himself and keeps putting himself down and Todd doesn’t want to hear it. He wants Charlie to see what he sees. A smart, sexy, wonderful man. But as the competition goes on, it’s obvious one of the judges is homophobic and rude as can be to all the contestants. Belittling them and being mean. Enforcing the rules that no one shall fraternize just to be mean. But Charlie is had enough and finally put the main his place saying he wouldn’t even speak to Todd until the contest was over to keep the man from being an ass. Todd’s not happy, but when he realizes Charlie isn’t as well, he tries to trust that Charlie knows what he’s doing. But it’s hard when the guy won’t stop. And the other competitor is cheating and the favorite of the asshole judge. Hopefully, they can get through this.

Charlie is definitely my favorite in this book. I wanted to smack everyone in this book who tried to hurt him. He’s such a sweet guy. But his insecurities from being constantly put down has left him quiet and not trusting and extremely hard on himself. I know there are people out there who say that you need to love yourself first or believe in yourself first before anyone else can, but when you’ve been so low, it’s hard. And people don’t understand how much kindness and love help boost someone to make them love themselves. When your head is full of constant negative thoughts, sometimes it takes someone to push you in a different direction. Most times it does. To help you see that there is something in you that is worthy and that someone likes. And it makes all the difference in the world. And that was the case with Todd and Charlie. Todd gave Charlie that boost he needed. Even if it was just a smile or a kind word. He showed how proud he was when Charlie stood up for himself which made Charlie stand taller.

It’s a beautiful story. And I loved it.

RATING: 

BUY LINK: 

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