Growing up in Ember Peak, Colorado, Jones Hudson nurtured dreams as big as the Rockies. Why else would a flat-broke college student believe he has a shot with Truitt Larkin, the billionaire CEO of Larkin Corp? And, sure, Tru might own the fab, five-thousand-acre Ember Peak Ranch, where Jones is just the son of a ranch employee, but that doesn’t mean a future with Tru is doomed, does it? When he finally, finally convinces Tru to break his chiseled-in-rock no-sex-ever policy, Jones is sure smoke will never shroud Tru’s silver-flame eyes again.
But fire burns and dreams crash. And Jones leaves Ember Peak—and a big chunk of his heart—behind.
Tru knows he’s responsible for fracturing his valued friendship with Jones. Indulging his attraction to the younger man was selfish and destructive—something he’ll always regret. When Jones returns to Ember Peak for a family wedding, Tru wants a chance to heal their friendship and give back to Jones the comfort of coming home. But sparks fly the moment they reunite, and they scramble to douse the passion that’s burned them both before. Yet a flicker of hope glows brightly, and soon they need all their courage to see their way to a future together.
What I thought about Tru Smoke
The story opens with Tru and Jones boinking like crazy in Chicago. There's definite chemistry between them, especially with the younger Jones not being afraid to admit his feelings for his older mentor and friend. I really liked that about this story, how Jones was clear on his feelings. Tru is more reserved, and he's not quite ready for commitment or a relationship.
Jones grew up on Tru's Colorado ranch, and he knew early on that he had fallen for his friend. There's a definite power difference in this relationship, with Tru being the older ranch owner and Jones the son of the Tru's housekeeper. When Tru breaks Jones heart after their incredible week together, Jones is devastated. I was devastated too!
Fast forward three years later. Jones' mom is getting married at the ranch and Jones will be seeing Tru for the first time since his heart was smashed to pieces. I loved the tension in these scenes, because it's so obvious the connection between them is still there, but neither one of them want to acknowledge it. Jones is still hurt, and Tru is .. well, he's Truitt Larkin, multimillionaire ranch owner. That is until he imbibes liquid courage at the wedding!
Once Tru rekindles the heat between them, it's a question of whether or not they can keep it going. Jones is heading off to law school, and Tru has his business, but neither one of them want to leave each other. They have the summer to decide what to do, and Jones really takes the lead in showing Tru how good it could be between them.
I really liked this May-December romance and the ranch setting where most of this takes place. It felt fresh to me. I loved that Jones is the one wanting the relationship too! There's lots of sex going on in Tru Smoke, too, so if you like your M/M stories with plenty of action between the sheets and everywhere else, you might really like this one. Personally, I would have liked to see them have more conversation, and I found I liked the end of the book very much because they really had to communicate and work some things out without relying on the intense sexual attraction between them to make things right.
Overall, this book kept me interested throughout and wondering how and if they were going to make it. I am definitely interested in reading more about these two characters and what obstacles they may face in the future. Looking forward to the next book in the series which releases in December!
ARC provided for review.
About the Author
Edie loves jackalopes, romance, mountain vistas, romance, John Ford movies, romance, Jim Beam Black, romance and cowboy boots (current faves are black Tony Llamas and red ropers). Although her extended family hails from the Rockies, the Plains and the Midwest, Edie has spent the last ten years in her Green Mountain home.
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