Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Ford
SERIES: Bastian Brothers
AUTHOR: V.L. Locey
PUBLISHER: Perky Rooster Press
LENGTH: 208 pages
RELEASE DATE: July 23, 2026
BLURB:
For Ford, the wide-open skies of Oklahoma offer not just a break from the past but a chance to build something real with the one man he should resist.
Trading skyscrapers for silos wasn’t part of Ford Bastian’s life plans, but after his best friend found themselves in a perilous situation, he’s now standing on the cracked porch of his father’s old farmhouse with three new half-brothers and a whole lot of second-guessing. Oklahoma was supposed to be a temporary escape, a place to regroup. But the longer he stays on the Bastian Acres ranch, the more he’s coming to realize just what this new family means. And to add to his confusion is the local vet who’s got more charm than a small-town Fourth of July parade capturing his eye every time they meet.
Aiden Hennessee is everything that Ford isn’t. The go-to large animal vet for Bastian Grange is flirtatious, witty, a known bed-hopper, and so incredibly handsome that Ford is having trouble keeping his soft center protected from the veterinarian’s provocative passes. Even when Ford knows he should keep his distance, Aiden keeps drawing him back. With Ford’s past creeping ever closer, can the fiery attraction they share be enough to bridge the gap between two very different men?
Ford (Bastian Brothers #3) is a slow-burn, opposites attract, M/M contemporary western romance featuring a shy city boy trying to find his footing, a gentle but rakish vet with calloused hands and a guarded heart, meddling siblings, porch-light conversations, and a love story that’s as steady and wild as the Oklahoma wind.
*Content Warning – On-page animal injury with positive outcome*
REVIEW:
Note: This is the third book in this series and as such, contains spoilers for the previous books. In addition, the set is staged for the series with all of the Bastian brothers and how they are forming a found family.
Ford Bastian is actually enjoying his time on the ranch he’s inherited from his father. He is getting used to life in the country along with his three half-brothers. Being from New York City and an only child, it’s a big change for him to be on a ranch with his new-found siblings. None of them have much in common except for their parentage. Ford was the only one who seemed to have a good relationship with him – even though he did leave. His stepdad was great and they also had a good relationship. But now he’s sort of hiding out with his best friend Bella on this ranch. He still talks to his mother – via a burner phone.
Ford has really taken to the goats on the ranch. He’s up early and out with them. He likes taking care of them, soothing them and keeping them safe. He’s very organized and he likes everything neatly organized. He also likes the local vet, Aiden 😉 When Aiden compliments him on his stellar recordkeeping, Ford can’t help but blush. He’s formerly been teased and bullied about how his mind works and how he organizes everything – including the food on his plate. Aiden means it very much as a compliment though and asks if he’d like to help out at his office with his notes which are completely out of control. Of course nothing would make Ford happier than spending more time with Aiden and of course organizing his notes.
The mess that Ford finds there is more than he anticipated, but he’s sure he can make sense of the boxes and boxes of notes. Aiden’s office manager Wendy is busy with the rest of the vet practice, but she helps him get started. She teases him a bit which he doesn’t quite understand at first. This also has been a longstanding problem for Ford. His brain just doesn’t work the same way and he doesn’t always get when people are joking. This is a sore spot with him.
When Ford starts spending more time with Aiden, Baker, the oldest brother tries to warn him off. Aiden has a bit of a reputation – he’s a one and done type of guy. Has never been one for seconds with the same person. But he apparently does want to see more of Ford. Ford is much younger than Baker and also a bit younger than Aiden and Ford is pretty offended that Baker doesn’t think he knows what he wants or what he’s doing. At 25, he resents being treated like he’s stupid or a kid. They have words. Baker insists he just doesn’t want to see Ford get hurt.
Meanwhile there is an incident with the bigot nasty neighbors (who never seem to really go away) and a dog is hurt. Aiden takes care of the dog and Ford wants to keep her. He’ll have to check with Baker though. Nobody else seems too thrilled about the dog (except for Dahm, his brother Dodge’s son). Once she recuperates from her injury though she is conditionally a new resident of the ranch. Ford wants to train her but she’s still got a ways to go.
As Ford and Aiden get closer, Aiden shares that his childhood was far from ideal. He doesn’t form attachments or trust easily. Ford is very understanding and is willing to give Aiden time and space. Baker continues to work though which continues to be a source of friction between the two of them. Ford is determined to make this work with Aiden though, no matter how long it takes.
This was another good book in this series. Ford is very different than his brothers. He’s been raised by a loving mother and step-father. He’s got his best friend Bella by his side. We still don’t know exactly what happened back in New York, but clearly Bella and Ford are trying to stay off of everyone’s radar. Aiden has had a rough start to life but he’s made a good life for himself now. He likes his work and the people and the animals. He and Ford just click. He sees Ford for who he is and realizes that what Ford has always seen as his personality problems are actually assets and make him very valuable in the things that he doe – and how he helps Aiden. Besides Bella and his mother, Aiden is the first person who really sees him and appreciates his many good qualities. I appreciated that Aiden was afraid to truly let someone in and be dependent on anyone, but Ford is as solid as they come. They deserve their Happily Ever After 😀 Hopefully we will get the full story in the next book about what has driven Ford and Bella to hiding out in Oklahoma. 😮
RATING: 
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