crtsjffrsn's review
4.0
Tanner Wallis is in dire straits. Having run away from the hospital after he and his boyfriend were attacked on the street, he has nowhere to turn. After being robbed and dumped by his latest ride, things only get worse when he stumbles onto a brutal attack on a cow and then is discovered at the scene of the crime by the owner of the ranch. But Tanner does his best to convince him--Mason Seidel--that he was only a witness. Seeing Tanner's condition, Mason offers to let him stay on the ranch for a few days until he's well enough to continue on his way.
The last thing Mason needs is trouble on the ranch. He's recently returned to help run things after his father--who kicked him out of the house a decade earlier for being gay--suffered a debilitating stroke. Things are still strained between Mason and his father, but he does his best considering everything that's happened. And considering his father's beliefs, Mason knows he should let Tanner heal up and be on his way. But something about the younger man attracts him and that something proves extremely difficult to deny...
With this being such complicated and challenging story, Rowan McAllister's choice of title--My Only Sunshine--seems incredibly appropriate to me. In so many ways, both Tanner and Mason are living lives that are shadowed by clouds and storms, neither every really knowing when things will let up. But when they find each other, it seems like there might be a ray of light breaking through. The question of whether it will be enough to make the clouds go away is one that lingers there for them both for some time, neither really knowing if they could or should be the redemption and comfort that they both so desperately need. And it's certainly a well-written story, as well.
[Content warnings: descriptions of violence/hate crime, character with PTSD, violence against animals]
The last thing Mason needs is trouble on the ranch. He's recently returned to help run things after his father--who kicked him out of the house a decade earlier for being gay--suffered a debilitating stroke. Things are still strained between Mason and his father, but he does his best considering everything that's happened. And considering his father's beliefs, Mason knows he should let Tanner heal up and be on his way. But something about the younger man attracts him and that something proves extremely difficult to deny...
With this being such complicated and challenging story, Rowan McAllister's choice of title--My Only Sunshine--seems incredibly appropriate to me. In so many ways, both Tanner and Mason are living lives that are shadowed by clouds and storms, neither every really knowing when things will let up. But when they find each other, it seems like there might be a ray of light breaking through. The question of whether it will be enough to make the clouds go away is one that lingers there for them both for some time, neither really knowing if they could or should be the redemption and comfort that they both so desperately need. And it's certainly a well-written story, as well.
[Content warnings: descriptions of violence/hate crime, character with PTSD, violence against animals]
karlijnmerle's review
3.0
It was okay. But it doesn't feel finished for me. Not all my questions were answered and in a certain way I'm, not satisfied and that's a pity.
But I do love the connection between Mason and Tanner.
But I do love the connection between Mason and Tanner.
suze_1624's review against another edition
3.0
Despite some potentially deep, angsty themes the book is actually quite 'quiet' in the development of the story between Tanner and Mason.
I'm kind of torn between wanting it to have been full on angst - more intimate knowledge of Tanner's attack, Mason's dealings with his father 10 yrs ago - and actually quite liking the calmer pace.
An easy read, no really deep angst, fast pace.
I'm kind of torn between wanting it to have been full on angst - more intimate knowledge of Tanner's attack, Mason's dealings with his father 10 yrs ago - and actually quite liking the calmer pace.
An easy read, no really deep angst, fast pace.
liza5326's review
3.0
Parts of this story were wonderful and also heartbreaking. But then there were the parts that just seemed to drag and made the story seem a lot longer than it actually was. Part of me wanted to skip some and felt I wouldn't miss much, but overall, I enjoyed the growing relationship between Tanner and Mason. The setting was beautiful and there was just enough angst and sweetness to create a good balance and make me NOT skim through. But it's not going to be something I remember next week.
the_novel_approach's review against another edition
4.0
There will be a lot of things to overcome for these two men. Will their love for one another be enough to carry them through, or will they fail to make it work? This book was difficult to read at some parts because of the hate that Mason had to live with daily from his father. He felt duty bound to stay and help out, but how long can he handle all the hate? I was very impressed he didn’t suffocate the man with a pillow; I don’t think I could have resisted the temptation. It was a testament to the love he had for Tanner that he was able to hold on so long.
Read Jackie's full review at The Novel Approach
Read Jackie's full review at The Novel Approach
More...