Crocus

Bonfires Series, Book 2

By: Amy Lane

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

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!

Awesome!!!

Since a well written book I enjoyed part 1 and part immensely. I’m a fan of Amy Lane, now and forever, and there’s nothing she can do about it. lol

wonderful sequel

In my opinion you really do need to read or listen to book 1, Bonfires, before starting Crocus. Bonfires is the story of how Aaron and Larx meet and fall in love with all the complications of joining two families. It ends when Larx’s eldest daughter Olivia comes home from college and tells them she is pregnant. This book takes off from that point. We learn that not only is she pregnant she also has Depression. Amy Lane handles this very difficult subject very well. There is no miraculous recovery just because it suited the storyline. We go through Olivia’s struggles to move out of the dark place she is in and Larx’s struggles as a parent to help her. At the same time his rock, Aaron is injured whilst on duty, one of his students is suffering from domestic abuse and is missing in a snowstorm. In amongst this two brothers need his support. There is so much to keep you on edge desperate to know more and wanting everything to work out. I love the dose of reality and practically Amy Lane has in these stories. By the way the book ended I am certain there will be a third book, can’t wait.

I absolutely agree with Mary. Even though the HEA for our guys happens in book 1, we don’t really see them interacting a whole lot together because – in typical Amy fashion – they are BOMBARDED with drama. Though the drama is still in heavy doses in book 2 – our guys handle it TOGETHER and that makes all the difference.

I was glad to see Amy confront the depression issues head on and not shy away from the less than perfect side of pregnancy, etc.

Highly recommended and can’t wait for book 3!

Audio

I just love Nick J Russo. I can’t say that enough. He makes every listening experience a joy and I always know I can depend on him to provide a quality character choice and interpretation. I love how he manages to give Aaron the laid back and stolid voice while in the next breath giving us the hyper and sometimes frenetic Larx.

Well done and highly recommended!

5 of 5 stars for both

Great Sequel

There was a lot that went down in this sequel to Bonfires! I liked Bonfires a little better, but this was still a great book. It was great getting to know all of the characters better, seeing Larx and Aaron's relationship strengthen and see this new family unit get closer and bond more. (and add a few more strays to the mix!) After reading the first book, and now Crocus, I look forward to reading more of Amy Lane's work. She writes with lots of heart!
I wrote in my review for Bonfires that I wish the 2 MC's were voiced by 2 separate narrators to help make it clear who is talking in each scene, but overall great narration.

Wonderful sequel

Loved the family drama and all the lost souls taking refuge in this cohesive and delightful family. Narration was perfect. Story was delightful and dramatic and laugh out loud funny at times. A great story to listen to while the world is going crazy around you.

My favorite

This is my favorite series by Amy Lane and I hope there will be more about this family. I just found the audioversion and this is my third time listening to it. I love the men in this story. They are so relatable. This is the kind of love anyone wants, solid and supportive even in the midst of chaos. Also, it is performed so well. Amy Lane is a gem!