Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Home for Ryan
SERIES: Secret Springs: Home for… (Book 1)
AUTHOR: Minerva Howe
PUBLISHER: Turtlehat Creatives
LENGTH: 110 pages
RELEASE DATE: March 29, 2022
BLURB:
Ryan feels pretty lucky to have found Secret Springs and his job working for Fuel Comfort Food as a caterer. He was on the run from a bad relationship when he did, and it’s taken some time for him to come out of the shell he was put into by his ex. He’s learning to trust again, and one man in particular makes him want to try dating all over again, even if the man makes him jumpy as heck.
Grant “King” Kingfisher has found all he wants in Secret Springs. His friend has given him an executive chef job, he has a great circle of friends, and now he has Ryan, who he wants to both protect and love fiercely. He sets out to woo Ryan with all he has, they find out they have a lot in common, and that they want to have even more. When Ryan’s pat comes back to haunt him, though, they have to fight for their love, and their growing family.
REVIEW:
I’m back in Secret Springs for another coupling and I have been looking forward to finally hearing Ryan’s story.
Ryan had to escape his abusive relationship with the alpha he was suppose to marry the next week…if he lived that long. Broken cheekbone and other injuries had him escape on the next bus west. He thought he could make it to LA and blend in but, with avoiding the more popular bus stations, he made it as far as Secret Springs. Hank brought him over to Chase’s to get him fed and Ryan not only had a place to stay, but a job helping Chase out. Now, with Chase’s unexpected pregnancy with his husband Jack, Ryan is heading up the catering jobs so Chase can be off his feet. Chase and Jack also brought in a new head chef to run the pop-up and the hotel that’s being renovated. Grant “King” Kingfisher has the skills as a head chef but could use a little polish on his people skills. He knows one thing though. The tiny cook that his buddy has running his catering business definitely gets his engine revving. When a plate of cinnamon rolls and a cup of tea lead to a first kiss it’s all full steam ahead for these two men. But can Grant ever convince Ryan he is so much more than that dead beat, abusive ex/alpha convinced Ryan he was?
I really have been wondering when we would get Ryan’s full back story. He was so reserved and quiet that I wasn’t sure if he would ever want or get an alpha of his own. He needed someone special for sure. And, after hearing his gut wrenching story, I was so thankful that King took treating him gently seriously. I loved how the Musketeers, and their honorary new members, made sure that King knew he was being watched. And, I appreciated that they married first and bought a home before they tried for a baby they both desired. They were making wise and sound decisions for their future and that followed with their needs. I also truly loved how this found family adopted Ryan into their fold from the moment Hank found him beaten, cold and starving and protected him.
This was a short, sweet novella that was a great one-evening read! And how I wish I could sample all the yummy foods prepared by these talented chefs!
Note: I really suggest that you read these books in order. They follow not only the Secret Springs series but these spin-off series as well. You can go to Minerva Howe’s website to get the reading order.
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