Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Courageous Hearts
SERIES: Plum Valley Cowboys
AUTHOR: Emmy Sanders
PUBLISHER: Self-published
LENGTH: 312 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 20, 2023
BLURB:
Mr. Right wasn’t expecting Mx. Tall, Dark, and Beautiful.
Bo
Being out and proud as a nonbinary person didn’t come easy, but I’ve finally found my place. I have an amazing work family at the cabaret bar where I perform, Chicago fits me better than my Texas hometown ever did, and I’m truly happy.
Especially once Jameson walks into my life. Our new bartender accepts me effortlessly for who I am, and the man is more than easy on the eyes. In fact, the way he looks out for me is giving me all sorts of ideas, even though those cuddles were purely platonic. Weren’t they?
But I have more on my mind than finding Mr. Right. My brother Diesel won’t stop hounding me, which means it’s time to face the very thing I’ve been avoiding for years.
I need to return to Plum Valley and confront my past.
Jameson
I’ve never met anyone quite like Bo.
Every time they’re up on stage in their makeup and heels, I watch them. When that shy blush spreads over their cheeks off-stage, I stare. And when I find them crying in the storage room after a difficult conversation with their brother, I can’t help but soothe away their tears.
I always assumed I was only attracted to women, but suddenly, I’m questioning everything. Including my reaction to the sight of Bo in lingerie. I might have a lot to figure out, like whether or not Bo is interested in me. But I think it’s fairly safe to say…
I’m not as straight as I thought I was.
Courageous Hearts is an MX romance between a man and the enby he adores, with show tunes, love bites and lace, a pan-awakening, one jealousy-inducing bull ride, and a very HEA. It’s book 5 in the Plum Valley Cowboys series but can be read as a standalone.
REVIEW:
Note: This is the fifth book in this series. There are major spoilers for all the previous books, but if you’re Ok with that, it does work as a standalone.
Bo has left his small hometown in Texas to save himself. They are non-binary and not accepted by their brother Diesel or their father. Bo spent the last two years of high school living with their aunt Sara after their father had threatened and rejected them. Bo has a half-brother Coop and his boyfriends Will and Tru there as well as Will’s family who support them. But they are much happier in Chicago where they he can be Bo, no longer Bobby. At nearly 23 and Bo’s got a great job at a cabaret bar where they get to perform and be themselves. Whether it’s expressing their feminine side or their masculine side, Bo’s roommate and coworkers accept all of them.
Jameson is the new bartender at Gertie’s where Bo works. He’s immediately intrigued with Bo who corrects him about their gender and pronouns – but gently since it’s clear Jameson just didn’t know. Jameson realizes he likes Bo but he soon figures out that he may be attracted to them as well. And that is unexpected. He starts to feel possessive of Bo but he’s not sure where they stand. After finding Bo crying after yet another hurtful call from Diesel, Bo sort of throws themselves at Jameson. So definitely not in this alone 😉
At first they keep their new relationship on the DL from their coworkers – private life is private after all. But it’s clear that they are both smitten 🙂 And when Bo decides to visit Texas to have it out once and for all with Diesel – to see if anything is salvageable, well Jameson is concerned. Not that he thinks Bo can’t handle whatever comes, but he wants to support them.
The trip is more difficult than Bo anticipated even though he had a feeling things would turn out the way they do. It’s clear Bo is hurting when he calls Jameson. Jameson can’t just let it go and so he comes to Texas and Bo realizes that Jameson is the one – despite trying to keep things from getting this deep this fast. Jameson knows that Bo is his person. But he keeps getting stymied from telling Bo just how he feels. Is it too soon? They both seem to be in the same headspace, but their timing keeps getting off 🙂
This was sooooo good. I loved the way this author was able to provide both characters POVs with alternating chapters. Bo’s journey to finding themselves is really well done. Jameson being open to whatever this could be with Bo was really lovely. Jameson’s family? Wonderful. Not perfect (yea reality) but just right for this story. Bo’s family? Not great. Consistent with what we’ve known all along.
It was wonderful to see the characters from the previous books here supporting Bo in their quest for some closure. The things that Bo was subjected to and how they were able to figure out what they needed was really something to behold. Jameson is just such a good hearted honest and supportive partner for Bo. It was clear that once he know what he wanted, he wasn’t going to let anything get in his way. But how he was so respectful of Bo and his journey and his past. That was perfect. Highly recommended! This series is a joy to read and I cannot wait for more 🙂
RATING: 
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