Reviewed by Becca
TITLE: Hearts and Hazelnuts
AUTHOR: Kris T. Bethke
PUBLISHER: JMS Books LLC
LENGTH: 116 pages
RELEASE DATE: September 7, 2019
BLURB:
Mechanic Jordan Hart is down on his luck, so he gladly accepts a temporary job servicing tractors at a hazelnut farm in Newberg, Oregon. He doesn’t expect to be attracted to his boss, Beckett Shaw. Still working on embracing his bisexuality, he’s reluctant to start anything, but Beckett’s gentle coaxing convinces Jordan to take a risk.
Beckett has vowed not to get involved with anyone until he can restore the Shaw Farms name as a leader in hazelnuts. But there’s no denying his interest in the shy mechanic who shows up at his door. Just as they begin to find a balance, outside forces threaten to tear them apart. Job opportunities force Jordan out of the Portland area he loves so much. But when danger comes too close to Beckett, Jordan must decide if he can follow his heart to the Willamette Valley … and straight back to Beckett.
REVIEW:
This was a sweet little story, but I wish there was a little something more. Maybe it’s just me. I just felt like it needed a little…..something. I’m not sure what. Because it had angst, sweetness and some evil characters making trouble. Overall, it was a good little story.
Jordan has been out of work for a little bit. He’s searched everywhere around him trying to find work as a mechanic but it’s hard and no one seems to be looking. So he’s had to broaden his search to places he’s had to move to. Although he really doesn’t want to. But he has to go where the money is. But his brother has a friend who needs help and it will be a little something. But what he doesn’t expect is the way his body sings when he spies Beck, the man who needs his help. Which would also be his boss. But he’s shy as well and awkward when it comes to dating, so maybe it is better the guy is his boss. But what he doesn’t realize is that Beck feels just as much for him. Beck offers him more work and little by little he’s doing all he can to get to know the quiet, shy man. Just when things seem to be going well, Beck is hit by a slimy, greedy man and Jordan finds a job several hours away. How will they make all this work or will it work at all?
Jordan kind of breaks my heart in this one. He is so shy and uncomfortable at so much. PDA really gets him off his guard and it takes everything not to bolt. But part of that is because he knows he wouldn’t have had support he needed from his family. Well, his brother but that was it. And he still has a hard time accepting himself as well. He’s been bisexual for years, but it always seems to bite him in the butt. And his gaydar doesn’t work worth a flip. He never pegged Beck as a gay man. But Beck is good for Jordan. He helps him come out of his comfort zone and be a little more relaxed about things. And Jordan helps Beck with surviving and coming out ahead in his business just when he thought he may fail. Plus Jordan helps Beck see things differently himself. They’re good for each other.
It’s sweet little story. One of those that just kind of gets you in a good frame of mind. Romantic but not in overt manners. Just a quiet burn.
RATING: 
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