REVIEW: Down in Flames by Parker St. John (Down Home #4)

DOWN IN FLAMES

Down Home - Book Four

by Parker St. John

Release Date: February 24, 2023

Review

My first story by Parker St. John, and I’m looking forward to reading more. It was a beautiful story with many complex emotions and character development.

An age-gap romance between the competent, steadfast older rancher and the younger sweet local.

Michael lost his wife to a freak accident and almost lost his ranch to a fire, also while trying to raise his daughter. He’s a strong, straightforward, deeply loyal man. He’s developed a friendship with West, the young man who’s become his best friend and has always been there to lend his support.

But West has secrets, secrets that make him pull away. And it becomes the catalyst for these two to figure out their feelings and how to move forward.

I loved the way Michael was ready to own his feelings. It’s always satisfying when the ‘straight’ man isn’t a quivering mess over his sexual orientation.

I truly enjoyed this story and I look forward to reading more of Parker’s work.

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Synopsis

Old enough to know better. Straight enough to know better. But this rugged cowboy can’t rein it in around his innocent young ranch hand…

Michael Whittaker survived two military tours and more tragedy than any man could bear, but it was his wife’s death that broke him. The rugged widower has sworn off relationships. Celibacy might make him cranky, but it keeps everyone safe.

Especially young West Owens, his new ranch hand.

West is wholesome and untouched. Only twenty-eight to Michael’s hard-earned forty-six. A man, when Michael has only ever wanted women.

When West begs for experience between the sheets, Michael can’t resist the temptation. Celibacy is overrated, and being with another man? Underrated.

But West is looking for more than a roll in the sheets. He’s looking for love…and that’s one thing Michael will never give.

His heart can’t take any more pain.

Ugly duckling West Owens knows a thing or two about survival, and despite being a virgin, he’s far from innocent.

He isn’t the sickly boy he once was, but every day is a battle in the small town that’s coddled him since birth. When the man he secretly pines for is injured, West leaps at the chance to move out from his oppressive family’s thumb and into another man’s bed.

Michael Whittaker might be old enough to be West’s daddy, but there’s nothing fatherly about the way the sinful, flint-eyed cowboy looks at him.

Nothing paternal in his rough hands and weathered face.

But as West’s confidence grows, he gives Michael an ultimatum. He won’t be satisfied with scraps of affection.

West wants all of him…and he’ll be merciless until he gets it.

Boy-next-door gets the hottie in this age gap, first time, gay-for-you romance between a hard-as-nails cowboy and a sunshine hero looking for redemption. This is the fourth book in the “Down Home” series but can be read as a standalone.

About Parker St. John

Gay romance author living in the rainy Pacific Northwest who adores strong alpha men, rugged cowboys, blue collar smokeshows, mortal enemies and childhood friends who will make you SWOON when they fall in love!

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