Reviewed by Sadonna

TITLE: Beauty and the Beard: MM Second Chance, Opposites Attract Romance

SERIES:  Maple Mountain Lodge

AUTHOR:  R.M. Neill

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH:  243 pages

RELEASE DATE:  February 22, 2024

BLURB:  

Leaf
Grief is a complex thing to experience. Since losing my husband, I’ve let it call the shots. It’s been in control so long that I’ve almost forgotten what it feels like to have someone hold me tight at night or share a secret smile with.

But a beautiful young model shows up at my lodge. He’s eager to learn about the outdoors and experience life outside the city. The more we laugh and share secrets under the stars, the more he makes me want things that I’ve kept buried for too long.

He’s more than my first impression; he’s intelligent, kind, eager, and fiercely protective. He’s only supposed to be here for a month, but he’s chipping at the walls around my heart.

Now that I’m falling for him, I need to convince him to stay, but we’re from two different worlds.
Could a beauty like him be happy in the mountains with a bearded widower like me?

Sasha
Being a model assumes you’re all looks and no brains. Well, I’m done playing the part of the pretty boy. The flirt. The easy target. No more cowing to the demands of others. It’s time to figure out who I am and what I want from life.
I’m heading to the mountains for a month to discover the kinder side of life—if there is such a thing. I want to heal my wounds and use the wilderness to search my soul for where I should go next.

When I arrive at the lodge, the sexy lumberjack with the sad eyes immediately captures my attention. He’s incredibly thoughtful, and he emboldens me to be me. With his encouragement, I’m doing things I never thought possible, like learning to fish… and catching feelings instead.

We lead different lives, but even though I didn’t come here looking for love, would he want a beautiful mess like me to stay?

CW: mention of spousal death, off-page past sexual and emotional abuse

REVIEW:

Sasha is a model who is trying to put his past behind him.  His best friend books him on a holiday to a lodge that is almost off the grid.  He’s going to learn to fish and hike and spend time in nature.  His life has been out of his control for years – since his mother died and her “friend” Moe took him in so he didn’t have to go into the care system.  Probably would have been better for him (or certainly no worse) if he had gone into care.  He suffered abuse and this friend took advantage not only of Sasha, but of his money as Moe not only makes money off of Sasha’s looks but he literally pimps him out.  Poor Sasha didn’t know which end was up.  Then he went from bad to worse when another person he trusted abused him also.  Only his friend Roman has his back.  Well and Roman’s lawyer.  They are going to take back control of their lives!

Leaf owns the lodge where Sasha is vacationing.  He’s lost his husband 7 years earlier in an accident and he just through himself into running the lodge and keeping as busy as he can.  When Sasha arrives – a fish out of water – Leaf can’t help but want to take care of him.  It starts out with fishing.  Sasha loves it and he is much more free when they are together on the boat.  When they return to shore, well Leaf doesn’t want to let go.  They spend their meals and evenings together.  As they grow closer Leaf shares his grief.  Sasha eventually shares his past too and his desire to move on with his life and do something different.

There are obstacles of course and Perry, Leaf’s brother offends Sasha more than once.  But he truly does want to see his brother happy.  Both men have to figure out how they can maybe meet in the middle and find a way forward.

I really enjoyed this story of opposites attract for two men who have been through a lot and are still recovering from trauma.  Sasha has been used for his money and his looks and his body for years – since he was a minor.  He finally is learning to stand on his own two feet and take control of his life instead of living the prescribed existence he was forced into.  Leaf is still struggling with grief and missing his husband Connor after his sudden accidental death.  He wants to do the right thing and he’s got a bit of guilt about loving someone else after Connor.  But he cannot quell his attraction to Sasha.  The more time they spend together, the more Sasha’s beauty and personality and zest for life as he’s coming out of his shell and trying new things call to Leaf.  He finds himself looking forward to the days and times they spend together and he allows his staff to take on more duties that he’s handled just as a way of keeping himself busy so that he doesn’t have as much time to miss his husband.  Perry and Pete and Millie, Leaf’s family and found family are so supportive and happy for them both.  They all do what they can to encourage these two men to push past their fears and make a new life together.  Sasha has a difficult road putting his past behind him (and in jail), but with Leaf and his bestie Roman supporting him, he is able to persevere.

Speaking of Roman, I absolutely cannot WAIT for the next book in the series featuring Perry and Roman who are even more different than Leaf and Sasha!  I have a feeling we will be in for a doozy with these two guys who definitely do not get off on the right foot in this book 🙂

RATING: 

BUY LINK:

Amazon