There is something about Jaclyn Quinn’s writing that I just fell in love with. She’s one of the first M/M authors I ever read. Her characters and stories just drew me in from the start.

Zach, my giant teddy bear! Protective Zach just brings all the feels and complete love. Drew my adorable little teddy bear! Drew has that personality that just keeps you reading. Drew is out spoken and takes no shit from no one and it’s a pleasure to see! Oh the tears! Happy, sad, they were all over the place! Zach and Drew have their moments but come together and boy when they come together! Hot, hot, hot! Love them.

Oh and the stalker reveal... never saw that shit coming! Excellent work!!

Thirst for you

Another enjoyable book in the series! The author has built a great world full of characters I can’t wait to know better b the stalker storyline was enjoyable though I figured out who the stalker was early in the story, and the reason.

Book safety, content warnings, and tropes & tags down below.

He never broke eye contact with Zach when he said confidently, “I know who I am, how to handle my problems, and who I want.” He didn’t know how many times he had to say it for Zach to believe him, but he’d keep trying… at least for now. There was only so much rejection a person could take.

I’ve been on a bit of a reread/relisten kick lately, and this might be the audiobook I’ve listened to the most times out of the ones I own. I don’t really know what it is about it that has got me hooked, but it really just hits every spot for me. There’s outside danger and suspense, there’s pining and a bit of angst between MCs (just enough to keep it interesting, not so much that it hurts your soul), it’s hot, aaand it’s ‘brother’s best friend’ with a 12 year age gap. What’s not to love?

I don’t remember if I figured out whodunnit early on or not the first time I read this, but one of the things I enjoy most is how I feel kinda paranoid alongside Drew when weird shit starts happening. He started to suspect everyone, even friends or acquaintances he’s known for ages, and every time he did, I felt just as sure that there was something weird about that character. It’s not a huuuge intricate mystery, but clever enough to be enjoyable, while the romance bit is entertaining as well.

Drew has been pining over ‘LumberZach’ for years, and that hurts to read sometimes. He hasn’t exactly saved himself, but he hasn’t wanted to be with anyone else either, in fear that Zach would think he had moved on and wasn’t available *wipes tear*. They’re both sweethearts, but Zach is a bit of a stubborn worrywart, and likes to take care of everyone else instead of figuring out his own shit. Luckily, Drew is no doormat, and puts him in his place when needed.

“Jesus, all these years of fucking throwing myself at you and for what? I’m wasting my time on someone who’s so damn scared to live his own fucking life, he has to dictate everyone else’s.”

Highly recommend if you like this kinda romantic suspense. It’s a quick and easy read, and narrated beautifully by Kirt Graves.

⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️

⚠️ Tropes & tags ⚠️
Brother’s best friend
Boss/coworker
Age gap
Pining
Stalker (not the fun kind)
Suspense
Camboy
Push and pull

⚠️⚠️ Content warning ⚠️⚠️
Online sex work
Explicit sexual content
Attempted murder
Injured MC
Stalking
Hit by car
Hospitalization
Death of a side character
Mentions of car accident (past, not detailed)
Mentions of death of parents (past, not detailed)

⚠️⚠️⚠️ Book safety ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Cheating: No
OM/OW drama: No
Third-act breakup: No
POV: 3rd person, dual POV
Genre: Contemporary romance, M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles

“Ma, do you think I’m pigheaded?” When she didn’t answer, he looked back over at her—and the laugh she was trying to hold in was answer enough. “I say this with all the love in my heart, but… are you kidding?”

“Believe me, if I knew how, I’d write a damn self-help book. How to Get Your Man in 1000 Easy Steps.” “Nice,” Zach murmured. “I don’t think... How to Win Him Over in Seven Long Years… would be a best seller.”

Good reading

A really good in love with big brothers friend story, it follows on from book one with a few of those characters popping in. This book is slightly more intense with the stalker and I guessed wrong several times before getting who it was right.

We see Zach in all his overprotective glory try very hard not to give into his increasing feelings for Drew. Drew is trying everything he can think of to get Zach to give in to those feelings.
The characters are well written and they work well together. There is also hints of more to come from secondary characters this is a most enjoyable series. I can’t wait to read more.

This is the first story in the Haven's Cove/Beyond the Cove series that I have read, and aside from a LOT of character names and how they're all related to each other thrown at the reader at the beginning of the story, I found that it was very easy to jump into Zach and Drew's story. (However, I really enjoyed this one, so I'll be going back to the start of this series very soon to read more about these characters!)

Drew, aged 28, has been infatuated with his boss, Zach, aged 40. Drew now works at the bar that Zach owns, and is still trying to get Zach to admit that he's just as interested. I love me some age gap stories, and the chemistry between Drew and Zach was sexy and fun! I also kinda loved Drew's side job.

This story has some nice mystery wrapped up in it as well - someone is stalking Drew, and although he thinks it's harmless at first, the mystery stalker begins amping up their tactics. Zach, who is a bit too self-sacrificing and trying to be good at keeping Drew off-limits, takes it upon himself to rescue Drew, and this allows their relationship to really grow and deepen.

I never really guessed who the stalker was before the big reveal (although it also, like, didn't work for me? Maybe if I had read previous stories to know these characters better it would have more meaning). I really was here for the romance, and I really enjoyed reading about Zach and Drew falling from lust to love.

Can't wait for some of these other guys to get their story - I want to know more about Grant, Mason, and especially moody Sawyer! He must have a story!

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Liked this but would have preferred more of the relationship and less of the mystery, felt like the characters barely had any time alone together once they got finally together.

Zach and Drew!

Zach and Drew's happily ever after had a lot of twists and turns and suspense! The small town was turned upside down by Drew's stalker and the twists the storyline took. It was pleasant to see Jake, Eli and the boys as well when Zach's family gathered for different occasions. This was a true standalone in this series.

Seriously this book put me in a little bit of a book hangover and it’s taking me a while to get over it!

Finally Zach gets his head outta his butt and goes after the man that has never given up!
Drew and Zach are crazy hot together! Their banter and cheek is fantastic but their chemistry and the tension is sizzling!

And when strange things start happening to Drew, Zach has to let go of being a protector and treat him as his equal or he could lose Drew for good!

Omg this book kept me on my toes and guessing who was behind the danger!

I loved this book so much and I really can’t wait for the next one..... Will it be an MMM???