REVIEW: The Cowboy and The Dealer by Jackie North (Fathingdale Valley #4)

THE COWBOY AND THE DEALER

Fathingdale Valley - Book Four

by Jackie North

Release Date: Oct 11, 2024

Review

I love this second chance series. Hurt/comfort at its finest, set in a gorgeous valley that like its characters is both rugged and beautiful.

There’s a delicious push and pull between Bede, an ex-drug dealer unsure if wants to be there and Galen, the cowboy who wants nothing to do with criminals. But they are both proven wrong in their assumptions and instead find fulfillment in the work and friendship between them.

Galen finally finds some peace and joy since his father died, as well as someone willing to share his burdens. Bede finds a home and love he didn’t think possible.

There are lots of great moments between the two, from funny to intense to tender, and they were all perfect.

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Synopsis

The valley works its magic, even on the most broken of hearts.

Galen Parnell is the type of guy who would stop at a four-way intersection, even at midnight with nobody around.

Obadiah "Bede" Deacon is a drug dealer who was sentenced to five years in prison.

Newly released with a broken heart that simply won’t heal, Bede is now a free man. But now he needs to decide whether to return to his old life, wheeling and dealing drugs.

His other option is to remain in the Fresh Start parole program, digging up knapweed and sleeping in a tent each night, all while doing his best to figure out what the hell his team lead’s problem is.

His team lead is Galen. He’s got eyes full of disdain, a mouth full of truth, and he does not like ex-cons at all. Doesn’t like that they’re getting a free ride in the valley, when he’s been working hard for years and is still broke.

Galen thinks his biggest problem is keeping his job in the valley long enough to pay off medical bills after his dad died last spring. That, and getting new tires for his truck.

What Galen’s actual problem–so hard for him to admit–is that even with his preconceived notions about the kind of men he’s in charge of–criminals, all–he’s unable to remain blind to the fact that they’re people, too.

Especially Bede. OMG, Bede. Who, in spite of the fact that he’s a freaking drug dealer, is smart and funny and the kind of dark and handsome that is Galen’s favorite kind of eye candy.

The summer is turning into a disaster. A deliciously confusing whirlwind-of-discovery disaster.

Enemies to lovers, boss/employee, opposites attract, forbidden love, hurt/comfort, midnight swims, and, of course, an HEA.

About Jackie North

Jackie North Pic

Jackie North has been writing stories since grade school and her dream was to someday leave her corporate day job behind and travel the world. She also wanted to put her English degree to good use and write romance novels, because for years she’s had a never-ending movie of made-up love stories in her head that simply wouldn’t leave her alone.

Luckily, she discovered m/m romance and decided that men falling in love with other men was exactly what she wanted to write about. In this dazzling new world, she turned her grocery-store romance ideas around and is now putting them to paper as fast as her fingers can type. She creates characters who are a bit flawed and broken, who find themselves on the edge of society, and maybe a few who are a little bit lost, but who all deserve a happily ever after. (And she makes sure they get it!)

She likes long walks on the beach, the smell of lavender and rainstorms, and enjoys sleeping in on snowy mornings. She is especially fond of pizza and beer and, when time allows, long road trips with soda fountain drinks and rock and roll music. In her heart, there is peace to be found everywhere, but since in the real world this isn’t always true, Jackie writes for love.

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