Blurb:

Even the wildest hearts need a place to call home.

Wilder

Freshly released from prison, Wilder goes back to the one place he never thought he’d find home. But Blackwood Ranch is a home in which he doesn’t feel welcome. The ranch, and his brother, thrived in his absence, and Wilder wonders whether he belongs there at all anymore. How does a man find his place in a world that won’t forgive him for his past?

Cash

Cash has called Blackwood Ranch home for seven years, but he’s never truly had a place of his own. He doesn’t realize he’s missing anything until he meets Wilder. He wants to show Wilder that there’s more to life than survival, but getting past the man’s defenses will be a lesson in patience for the both of them. 

*****

Review:

Wilder has been thru so much and I wanted to just yell at all of the townspeople that let their childhood reach the state it did. (And there was a moment toward the end that I just wanted to punch one particular selfish old man.)

My heart went out to both of the brothers, living with the consequences of that night and struggling to figure out how to move forward. (I really wish we’d gotten a little more of Lain’s POV. It made me a little angry that things went as far for as long as they did.)

Cash is patient and supportive and good for Wilder. He shows him the love and understanding that he so desperately needs, setting him up for a chance at a good future if he’s willing to trust.

Cash & Wilder’s path to a HEA is not an easy one. There are a lot of 2 steps forward and 1 step back moments for them as they try to work thru Wilder’s adjustment to being out of prison. And having to face his past and his brother again. It’s an emotional story but a satisfying one and I just loved it – every angsty, slow burn, gut punch page.