Wild Trail

By: A. M. Arthur

Narrated by: Greg Boudreaux

Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's Summary

Welcome to Clean Slate Ranch: home of tight jeans, cowboy boots, and rough trails. For some men, it's a fantasy come true.

Mack Garrett loves the rolling hills surrounding his Northern California dude ranch. Leading vacationers on horse trails with his two best friends is enough - romance is definitely not in the cards. When a sexy tourist shows up at Clean Slate, he's as far from Mack's type as can be. So why is the handsome city slicker so far under his skin in less than a day?

Roughing it in the middle of nowhere isn't anywhere near Wes Bentley's idea of fun. Then he lays eyes on the gruffest, hottest papa bear he's ever seen. But Mack is as hard to pin down as he looks - distant, sharp-tongued, and in desperate need of a shave. Until a campout gone wrong strands both men in the mountains with nothing to do but get to know each other.

Mack intends to keep his closely guarded heart out of Wes' very talented hands. But for a seven-day cowboy, Wes is packing some long-term possibility. The cold country air can do wonders for bringing bodies together - but it will take more than that to bridge the distance between two men whose lives are worlds apart.

This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise!

This book is approximately 90,000 words

Carina Press acknowledges the editorial services of Alissa Davis

©2017 A. M. Arthur (P)2017 Harlequin Enterprises, Limited.

Yummy Sexy Cowboy and City Dude

Mack runs his family’s dude ranch with the help of his friends Reyes and Colt. Mack is out which is totally fine with his grandfather, Arthur Garrett, who owns the ranch, but not so much with his family with whom he no longer has a meaningful relationship. His grandfather and the employees on the ranch are his family.

Wes has agreed to bring his sister Sophie, her fiancé, his brother, and another friend to the dude ranch for Sophie’s pre-wedding party. Wes is an actor who is very much a city boy, but he adores Sophie and knowing this will make her happy has him packing and heading to the country.

The two men meet and it is…intriguing. Mack is the rugged cowboy who squints and looks perpetually pissed off. Wes likes Katy Perry and has a big smile. They appear polar opposites, but sometimes things aren’t as they appear. Both have had bad relationships which ended under difficult or tragic circumstances. Both are leery of getting involved with anything more than a quick relationship and although Mack doesn’t every sleep with the guests, Wes has him reconsidering this. Although only three years apart in age, Mack comes off as an old grump and Wes could pass as much younger. This dynamic works. I liked that Wes referred to Mack as ‘Daddy’ and loved his chest hair. It was adorable that Mack called Wes ‘boss’, even though it’s clear who was in charge.

It was also nice that there were explicit negotiations and lines were never crossed. And while Wes could have come across as very stereotypical, he didn’t. He wears loud clothes and flirts like crazy, but he also knows when it is appropriate to tone it down and when to speak out.

When the week comes to an end, the men go their separate ways. It seems hopeless, of course. Mack is settled on the ranch and Wes is an actor working out of San Francisco. They do some more negotiating and because this is a romance, so you know things are going to end well. There is also a mystery and some heroics involving Colt, Mack’s friend. The find in the back forty has set up the next two books nicely and I look forward to reading Colt and Reyes’ stories.

The name of the ranch is, of course, symbolic. There are times in life when we need a clean slate. And if we happen to find love while getting that fresh start? All the better, right?

Greg Boudreaux is always a pleasure to listen to. He is talented and works hard at his craft. His characters are well-differentiated and although Wes’ voice is slightly higher, it isn’t effeminate, which wouldn’t have worked. So I await the next two books with bated breath.

Amazing story

This is the best story I have read so far! It has everything in it that speaks to me cowboys, dude ranch, history and restoring and old ghost town not to mention love passion and sex! It checks all my boxes for a great story. I highly recommend the audio book. The narrator does an amazing job.

Disappointing

The story is weak and is full of unnecessary side stories that doesn’t lead to anything. Unfortunately the story of Mack and Wes is not captivating enough and even that is felt in the sex scenes. In the first 2 hours you can easily figure it out what’s the end of the book.

It's ok

I thought the characters was likeable. The story seemed rushed at the end. Purchased the Audible version, Greg narration is great as usual.

i love this series it is so worth it

you will love it i can't wait to see what happens in this series it is so worth it

Cowboy and City Slicker

I enjoyed listening to this book. The pacing is a bit slow. But the story was engaging. The MCs, Mack and Wes both have very interesting backstory that unfolds as the the story goes on. It felt dragging a few times, but the ending was a good one. The other characters are also interesting, the mystery surrounding the ghost town was intriguing even if the ending of that was a bit of a lackluster. It was hyped then it kinda felt short. As far as steam, Mack and Wes were so hot together, so if you like some hot steamy cowboy scenes, you’ll get them in this book. Greg Bodreaux is such an excellent narrator. Him narrating this is book is what made me buy the audio version of this story.

Ride on Cowboy

loved this book. A little predictable which just made it more enjoyable. Great job Greg!

So many YA cliches and unnecessary information

I wasted my money. I am writing this without finishing because I am cannot finish it. I struggled to hear the story over the sound of my own indignation. There are so many YA novel cliches in this book that listening to it becomes painful and awkward. Every character gets both a first and a last name. NOT EVERY CHARACTER NEEDS A FIRST AND A LAST NAME! Are they integral to the story? Is their LAST NAME an integral part of the story? Leave it out! I have never introduced myself, or anyone else, with a first and last name, but it's happened about six times in the first two chapters. Then! What really drew my ire, is that one of the lead characters began to complain in his internal monologue about the women folk (who get exactly one name) and how annoying and feminine they are. How they annoy him and his friend with their inane chatter. And when he spends PARAGRAPHS detailing for them his boring ass life story, he can't be bothered to listen to the woman's. The story literally says that her story bored him and he turned her out. Since this isn't likely to be a story about him becoming a better person, I'm going to pass. I'm good, bro.

good cowboy romance

I really enjoyed listening to this. the narrator had a great voice and the romance was exactly what I wanted in a cowboy romance novel. I am definitally getting more books by this author.

Solid story

Nice people all working plan B or C meet up for a wild west adventure and some m/m love. Max & Wes get their HEA. Looks like at least 2 more couples are headed for theirs in sequels. Story clips along at a decent pace, setting the scene without getting overly fussy about ranch or theater details. Supportive supporting cast of characters adds to the whole. One (maybe 2?) secondary POC, but better than none, especially for small town western romance. There is some upsetting drama but it’s mostly a feel good story of figuring out how not to tweak each others’ sore spots with bits of wild/mild west action. Don’t know yet if the story will stick with me but it was pleasant to listen to. Will look for more from this author, AM Arthur, who I found via a narrator search. The narrator, Greg Boudreaux, did a good job switching voice details for the main characters (gruff vs breezy). Recommended.

Enjoyed

I did enjoy listening to this book. the narrator did the story justice. Because I bought the book too, I did try to read some of the pages inbetween listening but for some reason I didn't enjoy as much as listening to the audio. Love the narrator and would definitly listen to more from him. I would highly recommend this audio...

A cowboy romance

Nothing like a cowboy romance and this one is great lots of excitement romance and love together with m/m sexy times what more can one ask for.

great start to a great series on cowboy love!

Really loved this story, it had comedy moments, angst, a bit of everything really. Loved the dynamics between the main characters and the other characters.