Have Mercy

By: Christina Lee

Narrated by: Nick J. Russo

Length: 8 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

Julian North

My whole world changed with one roadside bomb and an honorable discharge. Not even the city I used to love can ease the restlessness inside me. I don’t expect visiting my cousin Sienna’s farm to do the trick, either, but the change of scenery can’t hurt.

Wyoming isn’t what I expected - from the mischievous pig following me around, to the rescue horse I’ve become strangely fascinated with. And then, there’s Kerry, the handsome, brooding cowboy, who somehow calms the storm inside me - and just happens to be Sienna’s ex-husband.

Kerry Carmichael

I’ve had a rough go of it since I came out - disappointing my family, the divorce, and the blow of my daughter’s illness. Things are settling down now, my kiddo is healthy, and Sienna and I are finally on solid ground. Not everyone accepts me, but I’ve owned my truth, even if I spend my life solo. Only, now that Julian’s here, I’m not so lonesome, anymore. He’s a kindred spirit. First as someone to talk to, then as...more. The first time I hold him through one of his nightmares, I feel a rightness I never expected to find.

We know this’ll end with the summer, but with every stolen kiss against the stable walls, with every heated or tender moment, I fall deeper. The reality is, I can’t risk my family or the business by going public with him. I know this can never last and that Julian doesn’t belong here. So, why does it feel like he already does?

©2020 Christina Lee (P)2020 Christina Lee

Loved It!

I devoured this beautifully written love story and was left with the best book hangover! From page one I was captivated by Julian and Kerry. Both men have gone through difficult times and are struggling. When you combine a wounded soldier dealing with PTSD and a cowboy who has come out of the closet sparks fly. When you add in that they are ex cousins-in-law things really get complicated.
I love how Christina Lee told this story. There is no unnecessary angst here, just realistic life situations. I love the compassion and grace that these men show each other. Each understanding and supporting the other.
This story is full of wonderful secondary characters (and some not so wonderful ones!). I really liked that Kerry's ex wife wasn't made out to be some horrible woman. These two have worked hard to provide their daughter with the family she needs. Julian has the utmost respect for this and only adds love and positivity.
Nick J. Russo does an outstanding job of bringing this story to life. It was a pleasure to listen to this audiobook.
You will get lost in this emotionally rich, beautifully written love story. Have Mercy will certainly be a book I revisit many times. Fingers crossed a certain someone gets his own spin off! I can't recommend this book enough

Lovely, low angst love story.

4.5*

I originally read Have Mercy when the book released last year so I'll share that review below. I really enjoyed reading Kerry and Julian's story, but listening to Nick Russo bring the characters to life was even more special. I rounded my original review down to 4*, but this time around I'm rounding it up to 5*! I loved the emotions Nick brought to his performances of both characters. They were each dealing with a lot of changes in their lives and he was able to really portray how they were feeling with his voice- through the changes and inflections he made while speaking. He made me feel even more for Kerry and Julian than I did while reading. It was a very well done performance and I'd definitely recommend listening to the audiobook version of this story!

Have Mercy was a lovely, engaging, low-angst, slow burn love story. Kerry and Julian are both such endearing characters who deserved all the love!
I was so happy to see Kerry really come into his own and accept who he was, even in the face of the backlash from his family and friends.
I liked that there wasn't a lot of drama in this book, other than a little when it came to Kerry's brother. Even with the disapproval from his father it never got ugly, which I really appreciated. He and Sienna worked hard to keep a caring family relationship for their daughter.
Julian was going through a bit of a rough time himself, dealing with the aftermath of what happened to his fellow soldiers. "Escaping" to his cousin's ranch was just what he needed, to help bring a little calm to his life.
While there were growing feelings between them, both Kerry and Julian fought it for as long as they could- not wanting to upset the balance of the life Kerry had created, especially when Julian was going to be leaving at the end of the summer. But sometimes you just have to let go and give in, and when these 2 did, boy was my heart happy. I loved Julian and Kerry together- they were so, so good for each other!
This was such a heartwarming romance, something I've learned I can count on from Christina Lee.

Precious

Considering homophobia & PTSD being part of the subject material this was a low angst story. Sure the survey cowboy drug his feet forever, but you needed his reluctance to fuel the story & add depth to his character. This was a squishy feel good HEA story. Definitely worth the credit

Julian and Kerry's Western Love Story

A stand-alone novel by Christina Lee, ‘Have Mercy’ tells the love story of combat veteran Julian and Wyoming farmer Kerry. This is my first experience reading Chistina Lee, and after this book, it’s definitely not going to be my last.

This delicious slow-burn romance is written with light angst, allowing a true-to-life story to unfold. There are hurt/comfort elements due to Julian’s PTSD that are handled sensitively. Kerry has somehow gotten it into his head that his coming-out has devastated his entire family. Both men erroneously believe they don’t deserve to find their person and it takes them some time to come to terms with their feelings for one another. The story has some heart-wrenching emotional moments (I cried a little), but they make the HEA that much more satisfying.

The Wyoming setting of the book is as enticing as the story itself. Lee’s detail of Kerry’s farm help put a picture in my head and enhance the reality of the entire story.

I sing the praises of Nick J Russo with each book he performs that I listen to. His brilliant voice-acting, from exposition to dialogue and character interpretation, brings the book to life.

I requested this audiobook as an ARC, that I received for free, with the purpose of providing a voluntary and honest review when finished listening.

Highly recommended.

Great book!!

I loved this story and while I know Nick will always be a great listen this one I think was one of his best. I was captured by the 2 men and the supporting characters it was the perfect balance of their instant attention but slower connect and the rest of the storyline as well. It was really sexy and over all just a great book

Who doesn't love a sexy cowboy?

Despite the subject matter, this is low angst and just keeps your attention from word one! I loved how everything was cohesive and I was simply able to enjoy the interaction and experience the love. Such a great book and the narration was simply amazing!!

Love this!

This book has become a new favorite. Julian has come to Wyoming to his cousin Sienna's ranch to get himself away from the city and maybe help him with his nightmares since his discharge. Kerry is Sienna's ex husband and they run the ranch together while caring for their daughter. This is a wonderful story and I just love the connection between Julian and Kerry, and how they help each other. I love the horse therapy and that they take in rescues. The ranch really seems like a wonderful place to live and work. This is definitely a book to enjoy again and again and I recommend it. 
Narrator Nick J. Russo does an amazing job. 

Romantic!

Loved this super sweet, low angst romance and Nick did a great job with the narration.

A easy 5 ☆☆☆☆☆ Stars !!!

This book was highly enjoyable. It has a great flow to the story and all of the characters are so well developed. Kerry and Jules have instant chemistry and I really appreciated the way Kerry was so respectful and thoughtful of Serrina and his family. I will happily buy more books by Christina Lee.

😍😍 Cowboys!

I love that this audiobook had a ranch and cowboy!! The rural settings are often not found in books. The author did a brilliant job in showing the work involved with ranching, livestock, and horses. The way the storyline progresses was perfect!!

Romance at it's best

Lovely story of love blooming between a cowboy and a war veteran who after a traumatic experience thanks to a careing cowboy they find love. A lovely story beautifully written and well narrated. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Very nice

The narrator was easy to listen to, clear pronunciation and read with feelings
The storyline is good and builds up to a happy ending.
No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
Good dialogues
Lots of emotions so there was some tears mixed in with my listening.
5 stars overall

Fantastic characters, story and performance

This is going to be one of those books I listen to over and over again regularly. I loved Julian and Kerry and their complicated situation. Their feelings for each other are quite clear early on, but with the family and PTSD as well as the fact that Julian is only supposed to be on the ranch for the summer, these two men have a lot working against them. Fortunately, there are also lighter moments with the ranch animals. Nick J. Russo gives a stunning performance here. We feel all the pain as well as all the love.

Comfort in an audio book.

I enjoyed driving to this story. The narration flowed well, giving the characters distinctive voices and nuances. The relationships between all the characters are complicated but listening to them work life out provides warm feels. Justin doesn’t know how much he needs the farm, Carey doesn’t realise how much he needs Justin! I liked the details about Equine therapy and how much it helps to deal with the effects of trauma.
Overall a fully enjoyable experience.

Another lovely book

I’m a fan of Christina Lee books – she has all the feelz I love. This book has just the right amount of angst and love to work well.

Julian is an ex-vet with PTSD. Something all too common these days. He’s got nightmares, and the city he once loved now overwhelms him. When offered a chance to visit his cousin in Wyoming to help her out on her farm, he takes the chance. Is willing to try something new.

What he doesn’t see coming is Kerry, his cousin’s ex-husband. Kerry came out after his wife discovered he was gay. She was devastated – as was her family, his family, and a whole bunch of other people. Some quietly supported him but it was just that – quiet. He’s been living his own truth, but at what cost? A few furtive trips to the next town over for random hook-ups? But he gets to live with his daughter who’s recovering from a major illness so that’s something. And living under the same roof as his ex-wife isn’t the end of the world – although it does put a crimp in both their abilities to move on.

When Julian arrives on the farm, Kerry knows he’s in trouble. He’s attracted to the vet, and he sees a vulnerability Julian shares with few people. For his part, Julian is horrified to discover he’s sexually attracted to his cousin’s ex-husband. As time passes, though, those physical feelings develop into emotional ones as well. And the men discover they want more. But Julian’s heading back east and Kerry’s got family responsibilities. It’ll never work, right?

Except this is a romance and I get my happy ending. I love stories where there are obstacles to be overcome but they’re done in a realistic way. This book felt authentic to me. I’ll add on that Nick J. Russo was the perfect narrator for this project. His cowboy works great and I’m appreciative he does great female and children’s voices. Yeah, this one was definitely worth a listen.

Have Mercy

Such a great listen! The narration was fabulous. The story was different and actually delved a little into the psychology of PTSD rather than just say, oh, he a solider of course PTSD. The chemistry and depth were excellent. I'd definitely recommend.

Emotional from start to finish

Story: Whew! Christina Lee wrote an incredibly emotional story of two very troubled souls. So many difficult themes and feelings are unpacked in this story, that it kept me glued to the phone! The MCs are amazingly well created and their personal development, right along their growing bond, was a truly beautiful sight to behold!
There were plenty of LGBT cowboy romances written and while this book also is one, it truly is unique in many ways.
Narration: Great performance by Nick J. Russo! Not one of my favorite narrators, but it's definitely a top notch narration with all the right emotions and dimensions added to the story.

A Beautiful Second Chance

Have Mercy is a beautiful story that really touched my heart. This book is a standalone, contemporary romance that focuses on healing, second chances, and of course, love. Julian North is an Army veteran dealing with PTSD. Kerry Carmichael is a rancher who came out as gay and has had to deal with the fall out from that. These two men have such heavy baggage that they carry. Christina Lee addresses this baggage and trauma with compassion and care, but never lets the story fall too deep into the angst hole. Instead, the emphasis is on healing and the joy of falling in love. I truly enjoyed this story and these two men. I could hardly put the book down and felt completely invested in the story and happy ending.

The audiobook was narrated by Nick J. Russo who narrated the book with care and passion. I loved how he voiced each character, and I felt completely immersed in the story.

A strong hurt/comfort romance

Christina Lee is such a wonderful writer when it comes to putting you in such a beautiful location. It's so easy to imagine where the story is set and the scenes that the characters look out on from the farm.
Julian and Kerry have a strong undercurrent of attraction running between them from the moment they reconnect as Julian visits the farm in Wyoming to help with some building work and give himself a quiet space to recuperate after being discharged due to injury from the army. Kerry has kept to himself since coming out and divorcing his wife, though they still live together on the farm with their daughter as they have dealt with her leukaemia diagnosis and treatment.
It's a slow burn as they first get to know each other before Kerry even knows Julian is bisexual. They both fight the attraction as both find it hard with Kerry's ex wife being Julian's cousin and then Kerry feeling the need to stand strong and alone for his family, not wanting to feel more guilt over his coming out. My heart hurt for both of them as you could see the possibilities and happiness that is there for them but they have to take it for themselves.
Another strong aspect of the book is the trauma that Julian experienced whilst serving overseas but also that Ainsley is dealing with with all of the treatment she had to have at such a young age. I love the bond that they share as they each become aware of an ally in their feelings and the equine therapy that is used to help Ainsley becomes a beacon of hope for Julian. It's really heartwarming to read how much he comes to appreciate what help it can offer, along with the peace of mind that the country has given him whilst staying at the farm.
Kerry's family live on the ranch next door but tensions are high with his father and one of his brothers. Alternately, Julian has the full support of his mum and sister.
Have Mercy is a very apt name with it being the name of an important being in the book as well as something that Julian and Kerry need to give themselves - Julian surviving a roadside bomb when other teammates didn't and Kerry being gay and hurting those he loves.
Another beautiful story from Christina Lee. I enjoyed all aspects of the plot, characters, relationships and setting. Ainsley and Mercy I think especially hold a special place with the what they've both been through and the affect that they have on those around them.
Nick does a wonderful job bringing this book to life. I easily fell into the story and relationship between the MC's. The angst was easy to feel and brought the struggles of both Julian and Kerry to the forefront.

emotional but beautiful

Have mercy was such a beautiful intense and emotional at times

nick Russo brought julian and kerry to life brilliantly and beautifully nicks performance made me feel absolutely everything julian and kerry was going through

Julian and Kerry stole my heart from the moment i met them

My heart broke at times but also got put together again

Have mercy was powerful meaningful had me crying at times

I wanted to hug these two strong and incredible men

By the time i finished julian and Kerry's journey my heart was full and warm

Christina Lee's words and nick russo's performance was just perfect and aww my heart my heart