Book Review: A Shared Range by Andrew Grey

Title: A Shared Range
Series: Range, Book 1
Author: Andrew Grey
Genre: Contemporary Romance, M/M Romance
Sensuality Rating: Erotic
Source: review copy from publisher
Published: September 2010 by Dreamspinner Press

After a year in medical school, Dakota Holden returned home to take care of the family business full time and help his father cope with multiple sclerosis. Devoted to his family, Dakota allows himself just one week of vacation a year, which he spends in some exotic location having all the fun he can stand. On his last vacation, a cruise, Dakota struck up a friendship with Phillip Reardon, and it fills an important role in Dakota's life. So when Phillip decides to take Dakota up on his invitation to visit the ranch, Dakota is happy to see him and meet his veterinarian friend, Wally Schumacher. Despite Wally's inclination to help the wolves Dakota's men shoot to protect the cattle, he and Dakota find they have a lot in common, including a fierce attraction. But they'll have to decide if the Wyoming range is big enough for Dakota's cattle, Wally's wolves, and their love.

Reviewed By: J9

In a Nutshell: Decent though unremarkable MM cowboy romance.

The Set Up: Dakota left medical school to return to his family’s Wyoming ranch after his father is diagnosed with MS. Dakota allows himself one week a year to cut loose and on one such trip he has fun with Phillip. The two men become friends and when Phillip visits Dakota he brings his friend, Wally. Dakota and Wally are undeniably attracted to each other but Dakota is a rancher and Wally a vet who wants to save the wolves the ranchers try to kill.

Why I Read this Book: I’m an Andrew Grey fan and liked book six in the series when I read it.

What I Liked: I like the ranch setting with rugged Dakota. He’s closed himself off from his neighbors by not coming out or even having a relationship locally. Dakota is the classic stoic cowboy and I’m a sucker for that in a hero. Wally is a fun character, tiny but feisty. He loves animals to the point where he’s almost reckless rescuing a wolf but he’s got heart and acts on his principles. The characters are likable enough here.

I also liked the secondary characters of Dakota’s ranch hands, his father with MS and his crusty foreman. Grey excels at creating a community for his romantic couples and he does that here. Other than the romance, the plot revolves around Dakota’s coming out to his ranch hands and his neighbors. Wally’s inclusion lightens the drama of this, especially with Greg, a ranch hand. This isn’t a quick moving plot but it was good enough.

What I Didn’t Like: This is an unremarkable romance for me. Wally and Dakota hit all the expected points and everything progresses as expected. They tell their emotions a lot more than show them. Their sexual intimacy is certainly there but the emotional connection fell flat in my opinion.

IMO: This isn’t a wow-me romance but it was good enough that I may read the other books in the series.

J9’s Rating: