Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Cowboys and Cupcakes
SERIES: Merry Everything (Book 3)
AUTHOR: Jodi Payne & BA Tortuga
PUBLISHER: Tygerseye Publishing
LENGTH: 278 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 21, 2023
BLURB:
Baker Jax Martinez works odd hours making cupcakes and cookies in his New York apartment. It’s a skill he learned from his grandparents, who raised him in a bakery of their own, and he’s never wanted to do anything else. His strange schedule makes it hard to have friends and a social life, but he’s an introvert so the occasional Sunday dinner with his best friend January is enough for him.
Sawyer McMahon joined the army to leave behind everyone and everything he knew after losing the cowboy he loved in a horrific rodeo accident. After nearly losing his own life as a soldier overseas, he’s not sure what’s next for him. His old rodeo buddy Hawk Destry, who has had to deal with a disability of his own, offers Saw a place to stay for a while in New York and he takes it, hoping Hawk can help him get his recovery on track.
It’s an instant friendship when Jax finds an excuse to rescue Saw from an overwhelming moment, and they discover quickly that they want to be more. Their issues and quirks seem to fit together in a strange and complicated way, but neither of them has thought much beyond the present moment. Could they actually have a future together? Or are they destined to be just friends?
REVIEW:
What an absolutely lovely Christmas treat! 🎄🎁
Sawyer “Saw” McMahon is going to stay with his good buddy and former bull riding champion friend Hawk Destry and his über rich husband Jan in their fancy place in NYC. Hawk understands what he went through with the death of Ollie. And now that he’s permanently disabled, from that explosion in the army, he needs a place to decompress, weigh his options, get a service dog and decide on his future. Hawk, who is now blind, can help him with the service dog part and help him learn to get around the city. And Hawk is going to be there for him. And Jan just knows how to make things happen. What he didn’t expect was the fireball of a baker, and Jan’s best friend, Jax to catch his eye and awaken things he wasn’t sure could awaken again. Jax knows bad luck. If not for bad luck he might not think he had any luck at all. But Hawk’s soldier cowboy buddy is hot despite his scars. Scars are earned. They’re badges and trophies. And when Saw asked if he could help mash bananas for muffins, even though that had to hurt to do with his hand, he readily agreed to the help. But can a baker chasing his dream of owning his own bakery, like his grandparents that raised him had, and a broken soldier cowboy who wants a new life where people see him for what he can do make a go of it in the bustling NYC?
I loved that Jax saw beyond the scars and challenges to the man Saw is and how determined he was to succeed. He didn’t care that Saw was scarred up. Or that he used a walker. Or that it was hard to use his one hand. He saw a man that rose against the odds and was succeeding at overcoming his adversities. And I loved that he didn’t just rush in and do things for Saw but stood by his side, ready to step in if asked, but allowed Saw the time to accomplish what he set out to do. He had total faith in his man. And I loved that Saw recognized a kindred spirit that was patient, kind and loving. And he knew that he wanted that man in his life forever. And what he said absolutely could be trusted as the truth. But I really loved that he calmed Jax when he fluttered. They complimented each other in the most perfect and heart-warming way. And you just knew what they were building was strong and would last forever.
And you know what the best part is…their story gives you hope! Hope for all of us imperfect people to find their one that gets you and stands by you forever. Hope that you don’t have to be able to do everything the way you used to and that someone will see by that to the real you inside. That’s what this story did. IT GAVE US HOPE 💕
I think Art is now one of my new favorite side characters. A good Physical Therapist is worth their weight in gold and diamonds. Art saw what was ahead and quickly determined what Saw needed and then ASKED him what his priorities were. Just WOW! I know personally PT is not fun and is a lot of hard work. Art may have been a drill Sargent of a PT however that is something that Saw not only understood but thrives on. Discipline in bull riding and the Army is something he knew well and responds to. And Art recognized not only his needs but switched it up to accommodate those. More could possibly come later or not but going with what Saw needed to remain positive through pain and adversity was key.
I knew this was part of the Merry Everything series but just knew that Jan and Hawk’s story was somewhere and I must have somehow missed. With a bit of digging I found it in the Wrecked Universe. It is titled Flying Blind and is book 2. I should have known better when Hawk said he would just invite Beck, Sky and the kids to visit and use their guest room when Saw said he was moving out! 🤦♀️ I have done all the rest of that entire series but missed it somehow! That will quickly be rectified though.
I really hope you give this wonderful story a chance because I’m sure that you won’t be disappointed and are smiling when you turn the final page. I usually would say at this point that I want more but, you know what, I do hope to get a glimpse of them in another book, possibly PT Art’s because he left a lasting impression on me, but I just know what they have is so strong and good that if I don’t get it I will be fine. Highly recommend this uplifting story of perseverance, trust, and love.
RATING: 
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