Crocus

Bonfires Series, Book 2

De: Amy Lane

Narrado por: Nick J. Russo

Saying “I love you” doesn’t guarantee peace or a happy ending.

High school principal “Larx” Larkin was pretty sure he’d hit the jackpot when Deputy Sheriff Aaron George moved in with him, merging their two families as seamlessly as the chaos around them could possibly allow.

But when Larx’s pregnant daughter comes home unexpectedly and two of Larx’s students are put in danger, their tentative beginning comes crashing down around their ears.

Larx thought he was okay with the dangers of Aaron’s job, and Aaron thought he was okay with Larx’s daughter - who is not okay - but when their worst fears are almost realized, it puts their hearts and their lives to the test. Larx and Aaron have never wanted anything as badly as they want a life together. Will they be able to make it work when the world is working hard to keep them apart?

©2018 Amy Lane (P)2018 Dreamspinner Press

Fantastic

I'm usually leery of sequels featuring an established couple, mostly because I'm afraid the author will mess with the happy ending I've already enjoyed.

Add Amy Lane, who's notorious for putting characters through emotional and angst-filled trauma, and I worried for Larx and Aaron.

But I'm happy to report that even though Larx and Aaron are put through the ringer with multiple crazy and scary things happening (Larx's daughter coming home pregnant, her baby daddy showing up, different kids needing to be saved, Aaron being hurt)...Larx and Aaron never lose sight of each other and how much they mean to one another.

I love all of these characters - they're not perfect - but they communicate and support each other.

Nick J. Russo did a fantastic job with the narration. He captures all of the emotions throughout the book without ever going over the top, provides clear, distinguishable character voices, and a terrific pace.

I know I'm loving an audiobook when I get mad every time I have to pause it!

Established couple, multiple POV, contemporary romance with medium angst, sexy times, suspense, and a very happy ending.

Recommended! ❤️

Romance and a plot.

HEA means more when lots happens before you get there. I thank you Ms Lane.

A+ rating...

My Review:
Overall: 4.75
Performance: 4.75
Story: 5.0

I was so excited when I found out there was a second book in this series, because I adored the first book. And omg, it did not disappoint...at all. This book was just as good as the first, but better in the fact that the two guys are in such an amazing place together that although neither is in a good place mentally, they don't let it affect the strength within their relationship. That made it an amazingly fantastic read that just melts my heart. (And please, please, please...I'm begging that there's a third book in the series. I LOVE THESE TWO and their menagerie of family and strays.)

So, the basics...Larx is the high school principal. Aaron is a sheriff's deputy. They both care deeply about the people that they come in contact with which is where they get into trouble. At their hearts, both of these guys are HUGE PROTECTORS. They physically can't standby when someone's in danger of any sort. That's great except it puts both of them in the line of fire, over and over again. But neither one of them would be who they are without that fact.

I'm not going to say anymore about that though because...no spoilers.

Just know...this book was AMAZINGLY good! OMG, so, so good!! Because this isn't a story just about these two guys. This is also about their family...their tribe. They tend to take in the strays along with anyone they love who needs help. As a result, there are story lines all over the place in this book. But all of them are good...the brothers, the wombat, the girls. All of those stories had heartwarming points, ridiculous points, and points where I just wanted to cry. But in the end, it was all incredibly sweet and filled with love. The way it should be.

These characters...they know how to love with every part of their being and that makes reading these books...pure happiness. I loved it!

Pronunciation

Words that in in "w" like saw and raw, DINT HAVE AN "L" SOUND. It's not SAWL OR RAWL! Drives me crazy! Other than that, it was a great story.

Wonderful Sequel to Bonfires!

I fell in love with Larx, Aaron, and everyone in their extended family in the must read prequel of Amy Lane’s wonderful Bonfires series. If you did as well, then Crocus is an absolute must-read continuation. If you haven’t, start with Bonfires, because I’m not giving anything away here!

One of the all-time best storytellers, Amy Lane creates a world of gritty, realistic characters. The Larkin and George families face their mistakes and deal with the trials of living in the real world. This is the best kind of angst, and while I can always count on Amy Lane to deliver a happy ending, getting there is what it’s all about.

There are some beautiful messages in Crocus, and the one that really resonates with me is about respecting others’ problems. Everyone has their own issues to deal with, their own crosses to bear. If it’s important to you, and you’re going through it, then it counts just as much as whatever I’m dealing with. This is one directive that always bears repeating.

I can’t think of a series better suited to audio, and the highly talented Nick J. Russo brings these characters to life. Larx and Aaron go through so much in Crocus, between their playful banter, life-changing events, and the delightfully furtive sex scenes, the emotion Mr. Russo imparts truly makes the story for me.

The ending of Crocus leaves no doubt that there’s more to come, and Amy Lane promises at least two more episodes in the Bonfires series. Coming in 2019 is Sunset, which I’m hoping is a happily-ever-after for Larx and Aaron. With Kellan and Isaiah’s story to look forward to after that, I can hardly wait!