Review: romance and dry, laconic humour
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 21, 2014
My Heartache Cowboy. Z. A. MaxfieldReview from Jeannie Zelos Book reviews.One of the things I love about gay romance is that the stories tend to be stronger than so many hetero romances and I need a good solid backing story. I've been lucky in getting two terrific ones in the space of days.This one was perfect, its not just the Ed loves Jimmy but...scenario, but that Jimmy has problems, he's become an alcoholic and risking his job. He's worked with Ed for years now, they are out together daily, bunk together, camp out together but Jimmy hasn't noticed that Ed is gay, never mind that Ed loves him...Then one evening when he's drunk Ed kidnaps him, knowing if he leaves him Jimmy will lose his job and home, and destroy himself.Ed's a terrific character, strong and silent, loving yet solid in his feelings. No flippancy and stereotypical behaviour for him. Jimmy – well he's on the track to destruction when Ed takes things into his own hands and kidnaps him for a cold turkey cure. Ed has a long time friend with benefits lover who a doctor, Don's lent them the cabin, and is on call for advice but isn't convinced it will work. Anyway things go wrong, they end up at Ed's home and Jimmy learns more about Ed in a few weeks than he's known for years. He learns a lot about himself too – such as that he's gay. He's always repressed that side of himself, had experiences in his past with men when he was a teenager, and as we learn more about his upbringing we can see his motives and behaviours that developed from that. Ed too has things in his past affecting him. Having learned a lot and dried out though Its not a HEA yet for Jimmy and Ed – they have some fun threesomes with Don at the house.  Jimmy seems to have recovered, but then...something happens and there's a huge setback. Poor Ed. I really felt for him all the way through – he was such a solid, good man, waiting all those years for Jimmy, content to just be with him however he could, but always wishing for more. Don was a hero – I really didn't like him at first, took my cue from Jimmy I guess :) and Jimmy didn't realise why he disliked Don (the Dick Doctor), but I think that’s because he was jealous of what Ed and Don had, and wanted that himself, even though he couldn’t acknowledge it.When things go wrong though that's when Jimmy really comes into his own. I love the fall down and pick up part of romances, and I like the down to last – and here it did, it was strung out til every last drop of emotion could be wrung out – fabulous :) that made the upside so much more sweeter.There's sex in here, lots and lots of it, m/m of course and m/m/m too , and I’ve just written a review of another book saying how the story needs to be strong to carry scenes like this. Well, unlike that book, in this one it is, the love scenes fit the plot and become part of the story. I loved the psychology of the characters too, seeing how their pasts affected their present, and how they had to overcome or learn to deal with certain events. A fabulous book for all romance lovers, heart-warming and tear jerking, and all wrapped in a satisfying story.Stars: five.ARC supplied via NetgalleyEdit: I've re reads this since review and forgotten to comment on the fabulous dry humour laced throughout. From Jimmy's hot tub musings, where he pondered would they turn into soup if they added a few vegetables and sat there long enough,(sounds like the kind of thing my mind would come up with!)  to a bit at the end “ I love you ----,  I’m an alcoholic”.. “stop while you're ahead Jim”  :) adds a real extra to the novel.