Book Review: A Volatile Range by Andrew Grey

Title: A Volatile Range
Series: Range, Book 6
Author: Andrew Grey
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: February 14, 2013 by Dreamspinner Press

Since mustering out of the Marines, Gordon Fisher has been off the grid and out of money, so when a group of ecoterrorists promises him big bucks to set some mistreated animals free, Gordon agrees. Unfortunately, the animals are Wally Schumacher’s large cats, and one of them decides to take a chunk out of Gordon.

Still hurting from a breakup, Mario Laria finds Gordon and escorts him back to Dakota's ranch at gunpoint, only to have his heartstrings tugged on when he discovers Gordon is living out of his truck.

With Dakota doctoring, Wally wanting Gordon gone for good, and Mario falling in love, Gordon hangs on for the ride. But what looms on his horizon threatens to tear apart what little hope he’s found. No one knows Gordon’s past keeps him up at night, and the military wants answers he just can’t give.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: I liked this MM cowboy romance a lot as the leads were fully developed, the romance well written and the plot not too outlandish.

The Set Up: Gordon has left the Marines and can’t find his place in civilian life so when he’s approached by some people to help rescue supposedly abused animals, he sneaks onto a ranch but is injured by the animals. The ranch owner is livid but has his foreman, Mario, patch Gordon up. Mario has been alone since his ex-boyfriend ran off with his new lover and he’s attracted to Gordon. Gordon agrees to work on the ranch with Mario but won’t start a relationship with Mario since he still seems hung up on his ex-boyfriend. But when Gordon’s military past comes to light the entire ranch may be in danger.

Why I Read this Book: I’ve really enjoyed some of Andrew Grey’s books and though I hadn’t read any previous books in this series, I figured I’d jump in here.

What I Liked: First, I like that both Mario and Gordon are mature men. They’re fully developed characters with good and bad life experiences that shaped them into the men who consider being in a relationship with each other. This is no May-December MM romance that I’m perpetually bitching about in the genre and frankly, that’s enough of a reason to like the romance IMO. Second, their romance isn’t fraught with lies or forced drama. Gordon knows Mario isn’t over his ex and Mario acknowledges it as well. So then the question becomes what now? I really liked how this shaped the men’s relationship and think other MM romance readers will too. Sure, the relationship has its erotic moments (yippee!) but the men develop an emotional intimacy as they slowly build a life together. I really liked this.

What I Also Liked: I knew coming in that this is book six in a series and I hadn’t read any of the previous installments but I liked the community here. Not sure a gay-ranch community is all that realistic but I liked the other couples and the peeks into their romances. I’m a city girl so I’ve always been a tad fascinated with country things like ranching and this story has that exotic locale for me.

I also liked the plot of who had set Gordon up to release the ranch’s dangerous animals. I worried this would be a silly plot but I thought it actually worked well as it showcased who Gordon was and gave him a place on the ranch. The plot and romance are interwoven well and kept my attention from beginning to end.

What I Didn’t Like: This author doesn’t write stock villains and this is good and bad. As a romance reader I’ve been conditioned to the stock villains and cheating ex-boyfriends are among those I want to see as villains. Grey doesn’t write this way and while it’s good realism, it also makes me kinda pissy. I know that I’m being silly but there you have it.

IMO: This is a good romance with likable characters that I’d recommend. This was a good enough read that I’ll likely read the previous five books in the series and pay attention when the next is released.

J9’s Rating: